Mother-to-baby HIV transmission shouldn’t be happening in Canada, according to a new study presented at the Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research. The study found that despite the tools available to prevent it, a few pregnant women in Canada are still passing HIV to their babies. The researchers analyzed an HIV surveillance database and discovered that 33 babies born in Canada between 2012 and 2021 were infected during pregnancy or delivery.
Antiretroviral treatment can prevent pregnant women with HIV from transmitting the virus to their babies, but sometimes pregnant women are not screened for HIV infection, particularly if they do not have access to adequate prenatal care. Additionally, women who immigrated to Canada during their pregnancies may not have had their HIV status discovered until it was too late to prevent transmission. There are also cases where women tested negative for HIV at the beginning of their pregnancies but later became infected by an HIV-positive partner.
Dr. Fatima Kakkar, a co-author of the study and a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, emphasized the importance of fighting the stigma that still surrounds HIV. She believes that this stigma could prevent pregnant women from being tested and treated for HIV. Kakkar noted that all pregnant women should be screened for HIV infection, and that it’s crucial for Canada to ensure that all women have access to good prenatal care.
The study’s findings are concerning, as mother-to-baby HIV transmission is preventable with the right tools and care. As such, it is important to address the barriers that prevent pregnant women from receiving adequate screening and treatment. By doing so, Canada can ensure that all babies are born free from HIV.