Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission
Preventing the transmission of HIV between mother and child, also known as vertical transmission, is core to the mission and history of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). Since 2000, we have provided over 33 million women with services to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).
Over 300 children acquired HIV each day in 2023.
90% of all childhood HIV infections are a result of mother-to-child transmission.
The risk of vertical transmission is less than 1% when mothers are on treatment and virally suppressed.
The Cascade of Care for Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission
Over 90% of new childhood HIV infections in the world today are a result of transmission between mother and child. Providing an HIV-positive mother with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and support services throughout pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding, and for the rest of her life can effectively eliminate this risk.
New Child Infections Due to Gaps in Prevention of Vertical Transmission Globally
One solution does not fit all mothers and babies. At EGPAF, we focus on supporting women throughout the cascade of care to ensure they can have healthy families.
Prevention Starts Early
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission starts with preventing HIV transmission for adolescent girls and young women. Respectively, 120,000 and 36,000 adolescent girls and young women acquired HIV in 2023 in eastern and southern Africa and western and central Africa.
Prevention means access to PrEP and other prevention technologies, as well as wrap around services addressing primary care needs, gender-based violence (GBV), and family planning.
When women have the essential care they need to prevent HIV and make informed choices about starting a family, they are empowered to have healthy, HIV-free babies.
Lifelong ART for Mothers
Lifelong ART means women are on treatment through pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding when there is risk of mother-to-child transmission. It also means women are healthier as their children grow up, minimizing their risk of advanced HIV disease.
When women are on treatment and achieve viral suppression, their risk of transmitting the virus is less than 1%.
Women who test HIV-positive during their prenatal visits at EGPAF-supported sites are immediately linked to lifelong ART and counseled on the benefits of retention on treatment, along with the benefits of giving birth in a health facility.
Infant Testing and Care
An HIV-exposed and untreated infant’s peak mortality risk occurs at just six to eight weeks of age.
Prevention
antiretroviral prophylaxis provides an extra level of protection through breastfeeding
Fast Testing
point-of-care early infant diagnosis helps providers and families get the information they need quickly
Mother Support
postnatal care and counseling help mothers during this critical period
EGPAF works within maternity and child wellness clinics throughout sub-Saharan Africa to offer a variety of integrated postnatal care services. We promote continued use of antiretroviral prophylaxis among HIV-exposed infants and continued use of ART for life among HIV-positive women. We also offer counseling on safe infant feeding practices within and outside the context of HIV.
Regular testing in the early stages of an infant life is essential if they are exposed to HIV. Technologies like point-of-care early infant diagnosis (POC EID) speed up the time from when an HIV-exposed infant is tested and when their caregiver receives the result. This allows faster initiation of ART for HIV-positive children, therefore reducing severe illness and death.
