Abstract
BackgroundBlood-borne viruses form the basis of enormous research on universal precautions. A paucity of research is noted regarding labor progression in seropositive women. Women testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) are often denied obstetric care and referred. Their need for safe delivery conditions propelled us to undertake this study to establish whether seropositive status affects labor progression or not.MethodsWomen in early labor (<4 cm cervical dilation) testing positive for HIV/HBV/HCV and delivering vaginally during the study period at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, India, were included as Group A (n=36). The authors recruited an equal number of women with seronegative status with comparable age, parity, admission at or before 4 cm, body mass index (BMI) characteristics as Group B. They were compared in terms of effacement at 4 cm dilatation and time from 4 cm dilatation till delivery.ResultsThe authors report a significant difference (p <0.05) between time to delivery between the two groups (2 hours vs. 2.43 hours in nulligravidas and multigravidas, respectively). Thirty-two (32) of 36 cases were already 70%-80% effaced at 4 cm dilation while only 25% of controls had similar findings. The present study suggests that seropositive women progress significantly faster in labor and need vigilant monitoring. We report such findings for the first time and aim to encourage similar research worldwide.
Highlights
Worldwide, there are approximately 1.4 million human immunodeficiency (HIV)-positive women who become pregnant each year
The present study suggests that seropositive women progress significantly faster in labor and need vigilant monitoring
Women at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are likely to be at risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), enabling co-infection with these viruses as a common event [3,4,5]
Summary
There are approximately 1.4 million human immunodeficiency (HIV)-positive women who become pregnant each year. Women at high risk for HIV are likely to be at risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), enabling co-infection with these viruses as a common event [3,4,5]. No research has yet been done to investigate the effects of the seropositive status of women on their progression of labor. A paucity of research is noted regarding labor progression in seropositive women. Women testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) are often denied obstetric care and referred. Their need for safe delivery conditions propelled us to undertake this study to establish whether seropositive status affects labor progression or not
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