Perinatal and infant HIV infection: Screening to minimise risk

Infants and young children are uniquely vulnerable to infection with the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) which causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and chance alone determines their fate when born to HIV-infected mothers. Hundreds of thousands of children throughout the world are newly infected with HIV each year and many of these infections could be prevented. Antenatal screening for maternal HIV infection is the foundation for reducing the risk of perinatal and infant infection. All pregnant women in the UK are now offered screening for HIV infection during antenatal care. Understanding how screening programmes are developed and assessed allows nurses and midwives to help parents appreciate the risks and benefits of screening for them as individuals and for their children.