Eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis

HIV and syphilis can be transmitted from infected pregnant women to their infants.This transmission can happen during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding. In the absence of any intervention, transmission rates range from 15% to 45%. This rate can be reduced to below 5% with effective interventions during the periods of pregnancy, labour, delivery and breastfeeding. Every year, an estimated 1400 babies in the South-East Asia Region are infected by HIV and 13,000 by syphilis through mother-to-child transmission. The simple and effective interventions available include the prevention of new infections among women of reproductive age, prevention of unintended pregnancies, antenatal screening, and Antiretroviral treatment for HIV positive pregnant women

The World Health Organization (WHO) had developed guidelines for HIV prevention, care and treatment for infected pregnant women, mothers and their children. WHO also promotes that promote the integration of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) into maternal, newborn and child health services, thus strengthening health systems. WHO South-East Asia Regional Office supports Member States to achieve elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis through a coordinated approach. The Regional Office works with Member States to provide joint technical support on maternal, newborn and child health, and disease control programmes; to develop technical guidance, tools and communication materials for EMTCT; and to facilitate monitoring and assessing progress.