[Detection of HIV infection in mother and child. Criteria for suspicion].

UNLABELLED: We look risk factors (RF) (other than i.v. drug addiction) leading to the suspicion of HIV infection. We have measured (ELISA) HIV antibodies in mothers and their children whenever the following circumstances were present: Maternal age under 22, previous abortions, sexually transmitted disease, uncontrolled pregnancy, unstable household, prostitution or neonatal irritability. We have studied 142 mother-child units and compared the results in HIV (+) and HIV (-) groups.

RESULTS

42 mother-child units were HIV (+) and 100 were HIV (-). Significant differences were only found for the following RF: Maternal age less than 22 (64% vs 32%), previous abortions (40% vs 16%) and venereal disease (30% vs 13%).

CONCLUSIONS

We point out the need for defining local risk factors for every environment in order to adequately screen newborns for vertically transmitted HIV infection. Maternal age below 22, a history of previous abortions and of sexually transmitted disease should lead to HIV infection suspecion in our environment.