Management of infants exposed to HIV in pregnancy - National Neonatal Network Guideline: Blood Borne Virus during pregnancy

This guideline has been created as an evidence-based, unified document to streamline local neonatal guidance from across Scotland and the BHIVA (British HIV association) guidelines for the management of HIV in pregnancy and postpartum 2018 (2020 third interim update). It aims to ensure equality and safety for the management of all infants in Scotland exposed to HIV in pregnancy.

There is good uptake of antenatal screening. With subsequent appropriate antiretroviral treatment of mothers during pregnancy and labour, careful delivery planning, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for babies and avoidance of breast feeding, the risk of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to baby in the UK is declining. Note: women who wish to breastfeed should be supported in their choice and careful monitoring completed.

Most recent overall transmission rate is 0.27% and 0.1% for women on combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) with an undetectable viral load.