Acute maternal HIV infection during pregnancy and breast-feeding: substantial risk to infants

We know, in theory and increasingly in practice, how to dramatically reduce rates of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1). Specifically, perinatal transmission of HIV-1 can be lowered from 40 % [1, 2] to!2 % [3] with the use of a combination of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and labor (with or without cesarean section); brief infant prophylaxis with antiretroviral agents; and avoidance of breast-feeding. How-ever, this reduction can be achieved only when we are aware of the presence of maternal HIV-1 infection and are able t