RESUMEN
As the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) global pandemic moves towards the end of its second decade, women of reproductive age throughout the world have been shown to be increasingly at risk for acquiring HIV-1 infection. Recently, the focus for preventive measures has expanded to include preventing the perinatal transmission of HIV-1 to fetuses and newborns. This manuscript reviews the available literature that examines risk factors for perinatal transmission, immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, and the role that antioxidant micronutrients play in modulating immune response to HIV-1 disease progression. The available information provides a compelling case for the design of studies that evaluate the extent to which maternal HIV-1 viremia and disease progression are modulated by her nutritional status. Should results from these studies confirm that antioxidant micronutrient status is inversely related to HIV-1 RNA load, particularly in economically vulnerable populations, carefully designed and executed supplementation trials would be warranted.