Perinatal and Neonatal Antiretroviral Use — Updated Guidelines

On April 29, 2009, the U.S. Public Health Service released updated guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-infected pregnant women and in infants. None of the panel’s clinical recommendations have changed substantially. However, the guidelines do provide helpful new background information, including:

• Data from recent trials of antiretrovirals to prevent transmission of HIV through breast-feeding

• More detail on the recommended duration of AZT prophylaxis in infants

• Results from carcinogenicity and teratogenicity studies in animals

• Information on etravirine

• A supplement on the safety and toxicity of individual antiretrovirals in pregnancy