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  • Title: [Epidemiology of HIV infection].
    Author: Blanche S.
    Journal: Soins Gynecol Obstet Pueric Pediatr; 1988; (87-88):4-5. PubMed ID: 3187865.
    Abstract:
    Maternal-fetal HIV transmission has become almost the only mode of infection for children in countries that screen their blood supplies. In many African countries with only partial screening of the blood supply, transfusions and the use of poorly sterilized syringes and other medical materials remain major sources of infection. The epidemiology of HIV infection among women and hence among children has progressively changed since the onset of the epidemic in Western countries. The rapid increase in the proportion of seropositive women corresponds to the massive infestation of intravenous drug addicts during 1984-85. Intravenous drug users now account for 18% of adult AIDS cases in Europe, with enormous disparities between countries from 1% in the United Kingdom to 62% in Italy. 60-70% of intravenous drug users in France are likely to be seropositive for HIV, including 30-40,000 women. In May 1988, a multicenter prospective study of infants of seropositive mothers demonstrated that intravenous drug use was the principal mode of transmission for women in France, accounting for 59% of cases. The true importance of heterosexual transmission in France is still difficult to assess. Until now, the vast majority of seropositive women have been infected by men in high-risk groups. The situation is very different in Africa, where HIV 1 seroprevalence reaches 7-8% in some urban areas. Transmission is almost exclusively heterosexual. In rural areas, seroprevalence rates are lower and apparently more stable over time. Data for large parts of Africa are still fragmentary. The rate of HIV transmission from mothers to their children is not well defined. It is estimated at 30-40% according to preliminary data from the multicenter French study. No significant differences have been noted according to the mode of contamination of the mother, but it is not clear that results can be extrapolated to Africa or other geographic zones. Contamination of 1 child by another has never been proven, and nothing should prevent seropositive children from leading as normal a family and social life as possible.
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