AIDS is a serious illness caused by a virus called HIV. In 2007, around 270,000 children died of AIDS, and over 2 million children were living with HIV. Only 33 per cent of pregnant women with HIV received the treatment needed to prevent their babies being born with the virus. Without treatment, half these babies will die before their second birthday.
Babies can be born with HIV if it is passed on by their mother during pregnancy, labour or delivery. But we can stop this from happening.
If a mother is HIV positive, her baby can still be born free from HIV. Shockingly, very few children are given that chance though in poorer countries. In the UK mums with HIV get the help they need to have babies who are born HIV-free. In poorer countries this help is usually not given.
To prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), pregnant women with HIV need:
- Access to HIV testing – to identify mums and babies at risk
- Counselling – to give advice and support, whether the result is positive or negative.
- Treatment (anti-retroviral medicines) for mum and baby
- HIV testing for babies
But millions of pregnant mums aren’t getting the treatment they need.
In 2005, UNICEF released a report on 59 of the countries worst hit by AIDS.
Of 81 million pregnant women, UNICEF found that only 8.4 million were told about PMTCT and only 7.8 million opted to be tested. Only 11 per cent
of pregnant women with HIV received treatment to prevent HIV infection in their babies.
We can free babies from HIV. We can provide pregnant women and their babies in poorer countries with the HIV testing, treatment and counselling they need for a happy and healthy future. Children can be Born Free from HIV.
Find out more about PMTCT in our photo story.