Antiretroviral therapy, highly active Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2008;30(3):135-141
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032008005000003
PURPOSE: to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of obstetricians from public maternities in Salvador city (PMS) about the recommendations from the Health Ministry (HM) for the prophylaxis of vertical transmission of HIV (VTH) and antiretroviral therapy in pregnant women. The influence of working conditions, availability for quick testing and antiretroviral therapy has also been evaluated concerning the application of these recommendations. METHODOLOGY: a transversal study from August to November 2005, involving 129/152 (85%) of the obstetricians from all the PMS. The instrument used was a structured and self-explanatory anonymous questionnaire, with questions on the population characteristics, working conditions and availability of material, knowledge and attitudes related to HIV counseling and testing, and proceedings with the patients (use of AZT, recognition of risk factors, choice and management of type of delivery and puerperal care). RESULTS: 69% of the obstetricians stated they knew integrally the HM recommendations, 90.7% agreed with the compulsory request of quick testing for HIV; 63.6% chose the caesarean section as the type of delivery; 38% were against normal delivery; 37.5% recommended isolation of positive serum patients and 58.1% indicated tubal ligation. Most of them (90%) mentioned the existence of factors unfavorable to the recommendations applicability, and among those factors, the most pointed were the inadequate way the pre-natal admission was done and the lack of information at that occasion. Even though the quick testing was available, only one third of the interviewees stated that the result was always available in due time. CONCLUSIONS: some attitudes related to the assistance to the pregnant women with HIV were incompatible with the HM recommendations. According to the interviewees, the inadequacy of the pre-natal plus the non-availability of quick testing, influence negatively the applicability of VTH prophylaxis recommendations.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2008;30(3):135-141
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032008005000003
PURPOSE: to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of obstetricians from public maternities in Salvador city (PMS) about the recommendations from the Health Ministry (HM) for the prophylaxis of vertical transmission of HIV (VTH) and antiretroviral therapy in pregnant women. The influence of working conditions, availability for quick testing and antiretroviral therapy has also been evaluated concerning the application of these recommendations. METHODOLOGY: a transversal study from August to November 2005, involving 129/152 (85%) of the obstetricians from all the PMS. The instrument used was a structured and self-explanatory anonymous questionnaire, with questions on the population characteristics, working conditions and availability of material, knowledge and attitudes related to HIV counseling and testing, and proceedings with the patients (use of AZT, recognition of risk factors, choice and management of type of delivery and puerperal care). RESULTS: 69% of the obstetricians stated they knew integrally the HM recommendations, 90.7% agreed with the compulsory request of quick testing for HIV; 63.6% chose the caesarean section as the type of delivery; 38% were against normal delivery; 37.5% recommended isolation of positive serum patients and 58.1% indicated tubal ligation. Most of them (90%) mentioned the existence of factors unfavorable to the recommendations applicability, and among those factors, the most pointed were the inadequate way the pre-natal admission was done and the lack of information at that occasion. Even though the quick testing was available, only one third of the interviewees stated that the result was always available in due time. CONCLUSIONS: some attitudes related to the assistance to the pregnant women with HIV were incompatible with the HM recommendations. According to the interviewees, the inadequacy of the pre-natal plus the non-availability of quick testing, influence negatively the applicability of VTH prophylaxis recommendations.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2007;29(10):497-505
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032007001000002
PURPOSE: to evaluate fetal structural and/or functional abnormalities by ultrasound examination and fetal echocardiography, in pregnant women positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: we analyzed prospectively 109 HIV positive pregnant women under antiretroviral therapy (Study Group) and 200 low risk pregnant patients (Control Group). All of them were submitted to ultrasound scan and fetal and neonatal echocardiography once a month. The amniotic fluid volume, fetal growth, fetal structural and functional alteration and the perinatal outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: there were eight (7.3%) cases of fetal structural abnormality in the Study Group and two (1%) in the Control Group (p=0.616). There were four cases of congenital heart disease and four cases of hydronephrosis in the Study Group, with statistic significance (p=0.015) for the cardiac abnormalities. There were eight cases (7.3%) of oligohydramnios and 11 cases (10%) of polyhydramnios in the Study Group against two cases (1%) of oligohydramnios and none of polyhydramnios in the Control Group (p=0.004 and p<0.001). Eleven (10%) newborn babies were too small for their gestation age in the Study Group, against three (2.7%) in the Control Group (p=0,002). The incidence of preterm delivery was 8.7 and 2.5% in the Study and Control Groups respectively (p=0.041). It was observed six cases (5.5%) of fetal death in the Study Group and none in the Control Group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: in the present study, we have observed higher prevalence of amniotic fluid volume and congenital heart abnormalities in the Study Group as compared to the Control Group. Statistical significance was found in both situations. The high fetal death rate found in the Study Group was probably due to fetal malformation, whereas the high prematurity rate and the prevalence of small size for the gestational age of the newborn babies were probably related to antiretroviral therapy, smoking and drug abuse.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2007;29(10):497-505
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032007001000002
PURPOSE: to evaluate fetal structural and/or functional abnormalities by ultrasound examination and fetal echocardiography, in pregnant women positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: we analyzed prospectively 109 HIV positive pregnant women under antiretroviral therapy (Study Group) and 200 low risk pregnant patients (Control Group). All of them were submitted to ultrasound scan and fetal and neonatal echocardiography once a month. The amniotic fluid volume, fetal growth, fetal structural and functional alteration and the perinatal outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: there were eight (7.3%) cases of fetal structural abnormality in the Study Group and two (1%) in the Control Group (p=0.616). There were four cases of congenital heart disease and four cases of hydronephrosis in the Study Group, with statistic significance (p=0.015) for the cardiac abnormalities. There were eight cases (7.3%) of oligohydramnios and 11 cases (10%) of polyhydramnios in the Study Group against two cases (1%) of oligohydramnios and none of polyhydramnios in the Control Group (p=0.004 and p<0.001). Eleven (10%) newborn babies were too small for their gestation age in the Study Group, against three (2.7%) in the Control Group (p=0,002). The incidence of preterm delivery was 8.7 and 2.5% in the Study and Control Groups respectively (p=0.041). It was observed six cases (5.5%) of fetal death in the Study Group and none in the Control Group (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: in the present study, we have observed higher prevalence of amniotic fluid volume and congenital heart abnormalities in the Study Group as compared to the Control Group. Statistical significance was found in both situations. The high fetal death rate found in the Study Group was probably due to fetal malformation, whereas the high prematurity rate and the prevalence of small size for the gestational age of the newborn babies were probably related to antiretroviral therapy, smoking and drug abuse.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2006;28(11):680-684
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006001100008
There is much controversy regarding the realtionship between the use of hormonal contraceptives and the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and little is known about the effects of hormonal contraception in HIV-infected women (adverse events, menstrual disorders, disease progression, antiretroviral therapy interactions). The aim of the present study was to review available data regarding HIV vulnerability and transmission associated with hormonal contraceptives and the use of these contraceptives by women on antiretroviral therapy, with emphasis on drug interactions. In conclusion, it was not possible to offer evidence-based recommendations for the use of hormonal contraceptives among HIV-infected women under antiretroviral therapy. Infectious disease specialists and gynecologists providing care should be cautious about potential drug interaction leading to increase in adverse events, individualizing contraceptive drugs, route, and dosage, according to the antiretroviral therapy under use.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2006;28(11):680-684
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006001100008
There is much controversy regarding the realtionship between the use of hormonal contraceptives and the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and little is known about the effects of hormonal contraception in HIV-infected women (adverse events, menstrual disorders, disease progression, antiretroviral therapy interactions). The aim of the present study was to review available data regarding HIV vulnerability and transmission associated with hormonal contraceptives and the use of these contraceptives by women on antiretroviral therapy, with emphasis on drug interactions. In conclusion, it was not possible to offer evidence-based recommendations for the use of hormonal contraceptives among HIV-infected women under antiretroviral therapy. Infectious disease specialists and gynecologists providing care should be cautious about potential drug interaction leading to increase in adverse events, individualizing contraceptive drugs, route, and dosage, according to the antiretroviral therapy under use.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2006;28(7):424-430
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000700008
The implementation of prophylactic antiretroviral drugs and others strategies to prevent vertical HIV transmission in Brazil has reduced the number of newly HIV-infected children. Since these drugs are only recently available for treatment, there is no data of conclusive safety during pregnancy and fetus and newborn. This article reviews the possible effects of these drugs in fetus, newborn and childhood, including teratogenesis, carcinogenesis and toxicity. In the literature there are an increasing description of adverse effects such as mithocondrial toxicity, neurological symptoms, blood and liver toxicity in HIV-exposed not infected children. Antiretroviral treatment recommendations are based on principles that known benefit to the pregnat woman should be mantained unless adverse effects outweight the benefit. A long term follow up of HIV- exposed children is proposed to better understanding of these potential toxicity. In this review the author suggests a practical clinical and laboratory routinary evaluation during the first years of life until adolescence for HIV-exposed not infected children.
Summary
Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2006;28(7):424-430
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032006000700008
The implementation of prophylactic antiretroviral drugs and others strategies to prevent vertical HIV transmission in Brazil has reduced the number of newly HIV-infected children. Since these drugs are only recently available for treatment, there is no data of conclusive safety during pregnancy and fetus and newborn. This article reviews the possible effects of these drugs in fetus, newborn and childhood, including teratogenesis, carcinogenesis and toxicity. In the literature there are an increasing description of adverse effects such as mithocondrial toxicity, neurological symptoms, blood and liver toxicity in HIV-exposed not infected children. Antiretroviral treatment recommendations are based on principles that known benefit to the pregnat woman should be mantained unless adverse effects outweight the benefit. A long term follow up of HIV- exposed children is proposed to better understanding of these potential toxicity. In this review the author suggests a practical clinical and laboratory routinary evaluation during the first years of life until adolescence for HIV-exposed not infected children.
