Mother to Child or Vertical Transmission

Lyn's Comment: Babies can be infected with HIV while their mother is still pregnant, during birth, or during breastfeeding.  Fortunately, it is possible to minimise this mode of transmission.

Treatment of mothers and newborns with ART, and choice of baby feeding method is the most important methods for preventing transmission.   Much has been written over the years of the dilemma facing HIV positive mothers when they need to make decisions about feeding their babies. On the one hand, there is a risk of transmitting HIV through breast milk. On the other hand, alternative methods of feeding are not always AFASS - Acceptable, Feasible, Affordable, Sustainable and Safe.  

Terminology Alert: This mode of transmission is often called "Mother to Child Transmission".  (From this the acronymn used for "Preventing Mother to Child Transmission" is PMTCT) This terminology has sadly lead to blaming of HIV + mothers, and also to fathers not accepting that they also have a role to play in preventing HIV transmission to their unborn child.  Some people speak of "Parent to Child" transmission - this has caused some confusion and questions about the possibility of the baby of a HIV negative mother being infected through a positive father.  It might therefore be better to speak of "Vertical Transmission".