Clinical Trials

I can’t find any mention of research on HIV+ children or on preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in the program of the HIV Research Catalyst Forum.  But I did hear many women talk about how ARVs saved their children’s lives. They are calling for more clinical trials for HIV+ children, research on pediatric and adolescent HIV/AIDS, and studies on the long-term effects of ARVs taken during pregnancy on children who are HIV-negative.

Perhaps the greatest victory yet for HIV prevention has been the success in blocking mother to child transmission. Without intervention, there is a 15-30% chance that an HIV+ woman will pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy and delivery, and an additional 5-20% that her newborn will be infected from breast-feeding. But transmission can be reduced to less than 2% if an HIV+ woman takes ARVS during and after pregnancy, a short course of ARV treatment is given to the baby, and transmission  from breastfeeding is prevented by ARVs or by substituting formula.

Despite the tremendous success of PMTCT, old questions persist and new questions have arisen.  In many cases, research has been done but the findings aren’t easily accessible to the parents who need to know; in other cases, more research is needed.  read more »

BJ Cavnor interviews Lionel Smith at the HIV Research Catalyst Forum