Clinical and Epidemiologic Characteristics of a Cohort of HIV-Infected Mother-Infant Pairs During 21 Years.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection continues to be a worldwide public health problem. After the introduction of effective preventive measures, perinatal transmission dramatically decreased. Our aim was to assess the sociodemographic changes in pregnant women living with HIV infection and trends in perinatal transmission rates over time. SETTING: The Madrid cohort of HIV-infected mother-infant pairs is a multicenter, prospective, observational, and cohort study that collects information on HIV-infected pregnant women and their children. METHODS: Information on clinical-epidemiological characteristics of HIV-infected pregnant women until delivery and their children from 9 public hospitals was included. Data were collected from a standardized questionnaire from medical records. The results were classified in 3 periods: period 1 (P1) 2000-2006, period 2 (P2) 2007-2013, and period 3 (P3) 2014-2020. RESULTS: A total of 1521 women living with HIV and 1548 newborns were included. In P1, most mothers (75.8%) were Spanish, whereas in P2 and P3 there was a predominance of foreign origin [62.8% and 70.5% respectively ( P < 0.01)]. The percentage of women with antiretroviral treatment before pregnancy increased significantly in P3 ( P < 0.01). The proportion of Caesarean sections decreased over time ( P < 0.01): 66.2% (n = 472) in P1, 54.9% (n = 245) in P2, and 46.7% (n = 141) in P3. The percentage of preterm and low birth weight newborns showed a statistically significant decrease. Even though there were no statistically significant differences ( P = 0.154), a decrease in cases of perinatal infection was observed (1.6% in P1, 1.3% in P2 and 0.3% in P3). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiologic characteristics of pregnant women with HIV infection have changed over time in our setting, with an increase of non-Caucasian, heterosexual, and perinatally infected mothers. Although there are still perinatal infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as immigrant women, transmission rate has markedly decreased in recent years and is still of major concern. Prevention measures should be reinforced in the most socially disadvantaged groups.

Safety and Experience With Combined Antiretroviral Prophylaxis in Newborn at High-risk of Perinatal HIV Infection, in a Cohort of Mother Living With HIV-infant Pairs.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal transmission of HIV has dramatically decreased in high-income countries in the last few years with current rates below 1%, but it still occurs in high-risk situations, mainly pregnant women with late diagnosis of infection, poor antiretroviral adherence and a high viral load (VL). In these high-risk situations, many providers recommend combined neonatal prophylaxis (CNP). Our aim was to evaluate the safety and toxicity of CNP in infants deemed at high-risk of HIV infection among mother-infant pairs in the Madrid Cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study between years 2000 and 2019. The subgroup of newborns on CNP and their mothers were retrospectively selected (cohort A) and compared with those who received monotherapy with zidovudine (cohort B). Infants with monotherapy were classified according to treatment regimes in long (6 weeks) and short (4 weeks) course. RESULTS: We identified 227 newborns (33.3% preterm and 7 sets of twins) with CNP. A maternal diagnosis of HIV-1 infection was established during the current pregnancy in 72 cases (36.4%) and intrapartum or postpartum in 31 cases (15.7%). Most infants received triple combination antiretroviral therapy (65.6%; n = 149). The perinatal transmission rate in cohort A was 3.5% (95% confidence interval: 1.13%-5.92%). Infants from cohort A developed anemia (26.1% vs. 19.4%, P = 0.14) and neutropenia more frequently at 50-120 days (21.4% vs. 10.9%, P < 0.01), without significant differences in grade 3 and 4 anemia or neutropenia between the two cohorts. There were no differences in increased alanine aminotransferase. Neutropenia was more common in the long zidovudine regimes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide further evidence of the safety of CNP in infants with high-risk of HIV-1 perinatal transmission.

Efectividad y seguridad de inhibidores de integrasa en la gestante con infección VIH en la Cohorte de embarazadas de la Comunidad de Madrid / Effectiveness and safety of integrase inhibitors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed up in the Madrid Cohort

INTRODUCCIÓN: El riesgo de transmisión vertical (TV) del VIH depende fundamentalmente de la edad gestacional de inicio del tratamiento antirretroviral y la carga viral materna al parto. Son crecientes las pautas con inhibidores de integrasa (INI) en embarazadas con situaciones de riesgo. Nuestro objetivo fue revisar la experiencia con INI en la Cohorte de Madrid de madres-niños. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, multicéntrico, observacional, de gestantes con infección por VIH-1 expuestas a INI de 9 hospitales públicos durante 2000-2017. RESULTADOS: Hubo 67 gestantes (cohorte: 1.423) y 68 neonatos (el 17,6% prematuros, el 34,3% con profilaxis combinada). No hubo casos de TV. Veinte mujeres se diagnosticaron en la gestación actual. De 43 con tratamiento antirretroviral previo a gestación, el 65% recibía INI preconcepcional. El más empleado fue raltegravir (80,5%). Aumentó significativamente (p = 0,02) la proporción de madres con carga viral indetectable al parto. La tolerancia a INI fue adecuada. Hubo anomalías congénitas menores en el 11,7% de los niños. CONCLUSIONES: Los INI parecen seguros y eficaces como prevención de TV. Nuestros hallazgos refuerzan su utilidad como intensificación en gestantes que llegan al tercer trimestre con pauta no supresora

INTRODUCTION: The risk of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is associated mainly with gestational age at which antiretroviral therapy begins and the HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load at delivery. Regimens with integrase inhibitors (INI) are increasing in high-risk pregnant women. The objective was to review the experience with INI in a Madrid Cohort of mother-infant pairs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, multicentric, observational study, of HIV-infected pregnant women exposed to INI. Patients of 9 hospitals were included (2000-2017). RESULTS: Sixty-seven pregnant women exposed to INI (cohort: 1,423) and 68 children (17.6% premature babies, 34.3% with combined postexposure prophylaxis). There were no cases of MTCT. Of 24 women with no previous antiretroviral therapy, 20 were diagnosed in current pregnancy. Of 43 women with antiretroviral therapy before pregnancy, 65% received INI before conception. Raltegravir was the most used (80.5%). There was a statistically significant increase (p = 0,02) of mothers with undetectable viral load at delivery. INI were well tolerated. In 11.7% of exposed children minor congenital anomalies were detected. CONCLUSIONS: INI seem safe and effective in the prevention of MTCT. Our findings support their use as intensification regimens in pregnant women with high risk of MTCT

Effectiveness and safety of integrase inhibitors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed up in the Madrid Cohort. / Efectividad y seguridad de inhibidores de integrasa en la gestante con infección VIH en la Cohorte de embarazadas de la Comunidad de Madrid.

INTRODUCTION: The risk of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is associated mainly with gestational age at which antiretroviral therapy begins and the HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load at delivery. Regimens with integrase inhibitors (INI) are increasing in high-risk pregnant women. The objective was to review the experience with INI in a Madrid Cohort of mother-infant pairs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, multicentric, observational study, of HIV-infected pregnant women exposed to INI. Patients of 9 hospitals were included (2000-2017). RESULTS: Sixty-seven pregnant women exposed to INI (cohort: 1,423) and 68 children (17.6% premature babies, 34.3% with combined postexposure prophylaxis). There were no cases of MTCT. Of 24 women with no previous antiretroviral therapy, 20 were diagnosed in current pregnancy. Of 43 women with antiretroviral therapy before pregnancy, 65% received INI before conception. Raltegravir was the most used (80.5%). There was a statistically significant increase (p = 0,02) of mothers with undetectable viral load at delivery. INI were well tolerated. In 11.7% of exposed children minor congenital anomalies were detected. CONCLUSIONS: INI seem safe and effective in the prevention of MTCT. Our findings support their use as intensification regimens in pregnant women with high risk of MTCT.

Circuito asistencial de la paciente con síndrome de vejiga hiperactiva / Care circuit of the patient with overactive bladder syndrome

Objetivo: determinar diferencias asistenciales en las pacientes con síndrome de vejiga hiperactiva en diferentes regiones de España e identificar ámbitos de mejora. Material y métodos: 106 especialistas en ginecología participaron en 12 sesiones regionales dirigidas mediante una metodología de brainstorming estructurado y se agregaron los datos obtenidos. Resultados: el rol de los médicos de atención primaria en la sospecha de la patología, y el de los especialistas en ginecología en el diagnóstico y tratamiento se destacó como relevante en la mayoría de sesiones. Se identificaron diferencias en la accesibilidad a Unidades de Suelo Pélvico y en la disponibilidad de personal de enfermería especializado, entre otros. Se propuso la formación y la generación de nueva evidencia para estandarizar el circuito asistencial. Conclusiones: el circuito asistencial de las pacientes varía entre las distintas regiones de España. La formación del personal asistencial y la creación de nueva evidencia sobre su tratamiento pueden ayudar a mejorarlo (AU)

Objective: To describe differences in the care of patients with overactive bladder among the different regions in Spain, as well as to identify fields of improvement. Methods: 106 gynecologists participate in 12 regional meetings run by a structured brainstorming methodology. Data were obtained and shown together. Results: The role of general practitioners in clinical suspicion and the role of gynecologists in diagnoses and treatment were reported as relevant in most of the meetings. Among others, differences in accessibility to units specialized in pelvic floor disorders and in the availability of specialized nurses were identified along the meetings. Training to health professionals in pelvic floor disorders and the creation of new evidence were identified as measures to standardize the healthcare of patients with overactive bladder. Conclusions: The healthcare journey of patients with overactive bladder differs from one to another region in Spain. Training and new evidence may help improve such healthcare (AU)

Executive summary of the Consensus Statement on monitoring HIV: pregnancy, birth, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

The main objective in the management of HIV-infected pregnant women is prevention of mother-to-child transmission; therefore, it is essential to provide universal antiretroviral treatment, regardless of CD4 count. All pregnant women must receive adequate information and undergo HIV serology testing at the first visit. If the serological status is unknown at the time of delivery, or in the immediate postpartum, HIV serology testing has to be performed as soon as possible. In this document, recommendations are made regarding the health of the mother and from the perspective of minimizing mother-to-child transmission.

[Consensus statement on monitoring of HIV: pregnancy, birth, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission]. / Documento de consenso para el seguimiento de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en relación con la reproducción, el embarazo, el parto y la profilaxis de la transmisión vertical del niño expuesto.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective in the management of HIV-infected pregnant women is prevention of mother-to-child transmission; therefore, it is essential to provide universal antiretroviral treatment, regardless of CD4 count. All pregnant women must receive adequate information and undergo HIV serology testing at the first visit. METHODS: We assembled a panel of experts appointed by the Secretariat of the National AIDS Plan (SPNS) and the other participating Scientific Societies, which included internal medicine physicians with expertise in the field of HIV infection, gynecologists, pediatricians and psychologists. Four panel members acted as coordinators. Scientific information was reviewed in publications and conference reports up to November 2012. In keeping with the criteria of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 2levels of evidence were applied to support the proposed recommendations: the strength of the recommendation according to expert opinion (A, B, C), and the level of empirical evidence (I, II, III). This approach has already been used in previous documents from SPNS. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The aim of this paper was to review current scientific knowledge, and, accordingly, develop a set of recommendations regarding antiretroviral therapy (ART), regarding the health of the mother, and from the perspective of minimizing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), also taking into account the rest of the health care of pregnant women with HIV infection. We also discuss and evaluate other strategies to reduce the MTCT (elective Cesarean, child's treatment…), and different aspects of the topic (ARV regimens, their toxicity, monitoring during pregnancy and postpartum, etc.).

[Maternal characteristics of a cohort of pregnant women with HIV-1 infection]. / Características maternas en una cohorte de gestantes con infección por el VIH-1.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The main strategies to avoid the vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy, delivery and to the newborn. Nevertheless, there are scant data about safety of antiretroviral drugs and follow-up studies with a large number of pregnant women are needed. The aims of our study are: to assess toxicity associated with antiretroviral treatment, to determine vertical transmission, and to define epidemiological trends within this population. In this paper we present maternal characteristics of the cohort. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Observational, multicentric, collaborative study about an HIV-1 infected pregnant women cohort and their offspring (666 and 686 cases, respectively) who were born during the study period (from January or May 2000 to 31st december 2003). RESULTS: Most pregnant women were infected by heterosexual transmission (54%). 71% women were included in stage A of the Centers for Disease Control classification of HIV infection and 74% women have received high activity antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy. Prevalence of adverse effects treatment-related was 7%, mainly anaemia related to treatment with zidovudine. We found 6 cases of vertical transmission among 686 newborns (0.8%; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-1.8). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients received highly active antiretroviral treatment, with a good tolerance and a low prevalence of adverse effects related to the treatment. Vertical transmission rate is very low, not higher than 1%. Apart from this, is necessary to pay attention to other phenomena like hepatitis C virus coinfection, other potentially serious adverse effects like hepatotoxicity and pregnancy-related pathologies more frequent in this population, like prematurity and gestational diabetes.