Understanding the transmission of HIV from mother to child is crucial in developing effective prevention and treatment strategies

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 62 views

The Proportion of Babies Infected and Uninfected HIV to Mothers with HIV who Give Birth at the Adam Malik Hajj Hospital in Medan in 2014 - 2017

HIV infection has become one of the biggest health challenges in the world, especially in the context of maternal and child health. In many developing countries, HIV is one of the main causes of death in women in reproductive age. The HIV virus can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child, both during pregnancy, during labor, or through breastfeeding. If not treated, HIV infection in infants can develop into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a very dangerous condition. Indonesia is recorded as one of the countries with the rate of additional cases of the fastest HIV/AIDS in Southeast Asia, with an estimated increase in infection of more than 36%.

This study aims to understand the proportion of infants infected and uninfected HIV who were born to mothers with HIV at Adam Malik Hospital Medan between 2014 and 2017. Understanding the transmission of HIV from mother to child is crucial in developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. The study also aims to identify the factors that contribute to the transmission of HIV from mother to child and to provide recommendations for improving the health outcomes of mothers and children living with HIV.

This study uses a descriptive method with a retrospective design, which observes secondary data from a baby medical record born from HIV-infected parents. The data analyzed came from Adam Malik Hospital Medan in the span of 2014 to 2017. With this approach, it is expected to provide a clear picture of the situation of HIV transmission from mother to child in the hospital. The study also aims to identify the factors that contribute to the transmission of HIV from mother to child and to provide recommendations for improving the health outcomes of mothers and children living with HIV.

Data Collection

The data collected for this study includes the demographic characteristics of the mothers and infants, such as age, sex, and weight at birth. The study also collected data on the mode of delivery, gestational age, and the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the mothers and infants. The data was collected from the medical records of the babies born to mothers with HIV at Adam Malik Hospital Medan between 2014 and 2017.

Research Result

Of the total babies studied, there were 26 babies born to mothers infected with HIV, consisting of 16 baby boys and 10 baby girls. Of these, only one baby (3.8%) was born spontaneously, while 25 other babies (96.2%) were born through cesarean section surgery. All infants (100%) were born in anterm, and in terms of weight, six babies (23.1%) weighed less than 2500 grams, while 20 babies (76.9%) were born with a weight of more than 2500 grams. All babies born to mothers with HIV have received antiretroviral (ARV) therapy since birth. The most encouraging result is that all 26 babies (100%) born were not infected with HIV.

From this study, it can be concluded that there are no babies infected with HIV among babies born from mothers with HIV at Adam Malik Hospital Medan during the study period. These results indicate that with the right intervention, such as ARV administration to mothers and infants, the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child can be significantly minimized. This discovery provides hope for the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS in Indonesia, especially for mothers and children, and is the basis for better health policies going forward.

Through this research, it is important for the authorities and health institutions to continue to promote awareness about the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child and increase access to quality treatment and health services for pregnant women infected with HIV. The study also recommends that health institutions should provide regular monitoring and follow-up care for mothers and infants living with HIV. Additionally, the study recommends that health institutions should provide education and counseling to mothers and families about the risks and benefits of HIV transmission from mother to child and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

This study has several limitations. The study only included data from Adam Malik Hospital Medan and may not be representative of the entire population of mothers and infants living with HIV in Indonesia. Additionally, the study only collected data on the demographic characteristics of the mothers and infants and did not collect data on other factors that may contribute to the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

Future research should aim to identify the factors that contribute to the transmission of HIV from mother to child and to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. The study also recommends that future research should focus on the development of effective interventions to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child in Indonesia. Additionally, the study recommends that future research should focus on the development of effective health policies and programs to improve the health outcomes of mothers and children living with HIV in Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about HIV Transmission from Mother to Child

A: HIV transmission from mother to child, also known as mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), occurs when a pregnant woman with HIV passes the virus to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

A: Without any intervention, the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child is about 15-20%. However, with the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other interventions, the risk can be reduced to less than 2%.

A: The risk factors for HIV transmission from mother to child include:

Mother's HIV viral load
Mother's CD4 cell count
Mode of delivery (cesarean section vs. vaginal delivery)
Gestational age
Use of ART during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Presence of other infections, such as tuberculosis or syphilis

A: HIV transmission from mother to child can be prevented through:

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Cesarean section delivery
Exclusive breastfeeding
Avoiding breastfeeding if the mother's HIV viral load is not suppressed
Testing and treating other infections, such as tuberculosis or syphilis

A: The symptoms of HIV in infants can include:

Failure to thrive
Recurrent infections
Pneumonia
Diarrhea
Skin rashes
Enlarged lymph nodes

A: HIV is diagnosed in infants through a blood test that detects the presence of HIV antibodies or the virus itself. The test is usually performed at birth and at 1-2 months of age.

A: The treatment for HIV in infants is antiretroviral therapy (ART), which involves taking a combination of medications to suppress the virus. The treatment is usually lifelong and requires regular monitoring and follow-up care.

A: While there is no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus and allow the infant to live a long and healthy life. With proper treatment and care, many infants with HIV can lead normal lives and have a good quality of life.

A: You can get more information about HIV transmission from mother to child from:

The World Health Organization (WHO)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Local health departments and hospitals
Online resources, such as the HIV/AIDS website and the AIDSinfo website.