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Birth defect surveillance in Eswatini in 2020–2021 identified 0.80% defects (197/24 599 live and stillborn infants). Neural tube defect (NTD) prevalence was 0.08%, 0.08%, and 0.15% for 4902 women on dolutegravir preconception, 17 285 HIV-negative women, and 1320 women on efavirenz preconception, respectively, more definitively refuting the dolutegravir preconception NTD safety signal.

Michelle M Gill, Philisiwe Khumalo, Caspian Chouraya, Mthokozisi Kunene, Futhi Dlamini, Heather J Hoffman, Angela E Scheuerle, Bonisile Nhlabatsi, Wiseman Mngometulu, Ntombikayise Dlamini-Madlopha, Nompumelelo Mthunzi, Lynne Mofenson, Strengthening the Evidence: Similar Rates of Neural Tube Defects Among Deliveries Regardless of Maternal HIV Status and Dolutegravir Exposure in Hospital Birth Surveillance in Eswatini, Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 10, Issue 9, September 2023, ofad441, https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofad441

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Poster

Programmatic Gaps Under Option B+: Factors Associated with Residual Vertical HIV Transmission in Malawi, 2020 – 2024

Published August 2026

In our study, vertical transmission was strongly associated with lack of ART at delivery and unsuppressed maternal viral load.

Topics:

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT),

Research

Countries:

Malawi

Journal Articles

Unfinished Business in Elimination of Vertical HIV Transmission and Ensuring HIV-Free Survival

Published June 2026

Journal of the International AIDS Society: Volume 29, Issue S1 How do we finally end pediatric HIV? A new supplement from the Journal of the International AIDS Society unpacks this vital question. Co-edited by EGPAF’s Lynne Mofenson, with a commentary from Team EGPAF, the supplement describes the innovations that can finally eliminate vertical transmission and ensure children […]

Topics:

HIV,

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT)

Countries:

Global

newborn baby held by mother in Eswatini

Journal Articles

Birth Defects and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Hospital-based Birth Surveillance in Eswatini

Published February 2025

Background The Botswana Tsepamo study identified an initial neural tube defect (NTD) safety signal with dolutegravir antiretroviral therapy (ART) exposure at conception. We conducted similar surveillance in 5 hospitals in Eswatini from September 2021 to September 2023 to evaluate the prevalence of birth defects and adverse pregnancy outcomes by maternal HIV status and ART regimen/timing. […]

Countries:

Eswatini