The impact of expedited third trimester viral load testing on the proportion of vaginal deliveries in HIVpositive pregnant women in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Advances in HIV treatment and monitoring are changing the landscape of vertical transmission of this disease. Current guidelines from the United States and DR recommend that women infected with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy, because ART significantly decreases vertical transmission rates [4,5]. Before ART, Cesarean sections (C-section) were recommended for all HIV-positive women to decrease the risk of HIV transmission to the infant during delivery [6]. However, C-section carries significant risks including wound infection, infant respiratory problems, and a higher rate of maternal complications with future pregnancies (e.g.,