Pregnancy in Perinatally HIV-Infected Adolescents and Young Adults-Puerto Rico, 2002

Abstract

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in the United States in the mid-1990s, the life expectancy of U.S. children who were infected perinatally with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased substantially. As a result, the number of perinatally HIV-infected females in the United States who are becoming both sexually active and pregnant is increasing. During August 1998-May 2002, a total of 10 pregnancies were identified among eight perinatally HIV-infected adolescents and young adults in Puerto Rico; in April 2002, the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDOH) asked CDC to assist in assessing such pregnancies. This report describes these pregnancies and discusses factors associated with sexual activity and pregnancy. The findings suggest that increasing numbers of pregnancies will occur among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents and young adults and that appropriately tailored reproductive health interventions should be developed.