Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection in children under 15 years is mostly due to mother to child transmission. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of infants born to HIV-positive women through the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) aspects at Sylvanus Olympio’s Teaching Hospital of Lomé. This retrospective study of 24 months (from September 1, 2008 to September 1, 2010) was performed in 232 recorded files of infants delivered in the centre and monitored in the pediatrics department. From 230 women who had given birth to 232 infants, 224 (97.4%) knew their positive HIV status before delivery and 6 (2.6%) tested positive after child birth. Low birth weight was observed in 21.5% of newborns and 12.3% were born preterm. Two hundred seven (55.0%) infants were exclusively breastfed, with abrupt weaning at 4 months in 40.2% (39). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was performed at 17 and 19 weeks in the 232 infants and 13 positive cases were found (5.6% transmission rate). An assessment of the centre in 2010 identified a mother-child transmission rate of HIV that was still high. There was need to strengthen screening strategies, counselling during antenatal care, and access to ART for all pregnant women.

Key words: Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pregnant women, antiretroviral treatment, Togo, West Africa.