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Quick Facts - Vertical Transmission
Perinatal Transmission of HIV

By , About.com Guide

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Here are some quick facts regarding perinatal transmission of HIV from April 2003 to March 2005.
  • Approximately 6,000 to 7,000 HIV-infected women give birth each year in the United States, resulting in 280 to 370 new perinatal infections.

  • Approximately 40% of the HIV infected women who pass their HIV to their child never knew the were HIV infected or were never tested for HIV during their pregnancy.

  • About 40% of women that are of child bearing age do not know that perinatal transmission of HIV is preventable.

  • Only about 33% of all hospitals offer rapid HIV testing to women in labor and only 50% of them have policies to test women whose HIV status is unknown.

  • Pregnant women are more likely to get an HIV test when testing is an option they can decline as opposed to a requirement of their prenatal care.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; January 2005.

For more information regarding HIV and pregnancy:

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