Abstract
The toxic potential of nevirapine in pregnant women with CD4 count over 250 cells mmâ3 and the unsatisfactory efficacy of nelfinavir in patients with baseline Viral Load (VL) over 100,000 copies mLâ1 has prompted the use of Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in selected situations. This study aims to assess safety of LPV/r in pregnancy. Medical records from pregnant women receiving LPV/r were retrospectively reviewed. Charts corresponding to twin pregnancy, hypertension and having a lack of data supporting a reliable estimate of Gestational Age (GA) at delivery were excluded. Low Birth Weight (LBW) was defined as less than 2500 g. Pre-Term Delivery (PD), defined as GA at delivery less than 259 days, was estimated using date of Last Menstruation Period (LMP) and obstetrical ultrasound. A total of 64 women were analyzed. LPV/r was used in 46.9% due to virologic failure with other Protease Inhibitors (PIs). LPV/r was used for a mean of 108.8 days. Baseline median CD4+ cell count and HIV-1 RNA were 287 mmâ3 and 31,100 copies mLâ1, respectively and 345 mmâ3 and less than 400 copies mLâ1 at delivery. HIV-1 was not transmitted to any newborn. LBW was observed in 13 (20.3%) and PD in 16 (25%) newborns. Time on LPV/r during pregnancy, maternal age, baseline CD4+ cell count and HIV-1 RNA, GA at initiation of LPV/r, reason for prescribing LPV/r and type of delivery were not associated with PD. Frequencies of LBW and PD were, respectively, 20.3 and 25%. Neither the magnitude nor the timing in pregnancy of LPV/r use was associated with PD.
Highlights
In countries where antiretrovirals (ARVs) are widely available, the optimal ARV regimen for prevention of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy is currently under debate
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of LPV/r, as part of combination therapy prescribed to treat HIV-infected pregnant women, on the rates of infant Low Birth Weight (LBW) and Pre-Term Delivery (PD), HIV RNA load reduction and mother-to-child HIV transmission
Ten women were excluded from the analysis: one refused to take any drug during gestation, three had twins and six could not be given an accurate Gestational Age (GA) estimation because they began care late in pregnancy and were not able to recall the Last Menstruation Period (LMP) reliably
Summary
In countries where antiretrovirals (ARVs) are widely available, the optimal ARV regimen for prevention of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy is currently under debate. Most guidelines recommended either nevirapine or nelfinavir in combination with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), usually zidovudine (AZT)+lamivudine (3TC) in HIV-infected pregnant women who do not have evidence of drugresistant virus. The use of both nevirapine and nelfinavir has been questioned because of either an increased risk for toxicity or subtherapeutic plasma levels, respectively[1,2]. The development of severe nevirapine-associated skin rash has been reported to be 5.5-7.3 times more common in women than men and has been reported in pregnant women[3,4,5]. The degree of risk for hepatic toxicity varies with CD4+ cell count. Women with CD4+ cell counts greater than 250 cells mm−3 who initiate nevirapine including pregnant women receiving
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
