Pavlína Bukovinová, Miriama Babeľová
The reduction in mother‑to‑child
transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is regarded as one of the
most effective public health initiatives. In the absence of treatment, the risk of vertical transmission of HIV is as
high as 25-35 %. With the implementation of HIV testing, counselling, antiretroviral therapy, delivery by caesarean
section, and interruption breastfeeding, mother‑to‑child
transmission can be reduced to less than 5 %. Worldwide,
in 2016 new infections among children declined by 47 % since 2010 as coverage of antiretroviral therapy also provided
to pregnant in high‑prevalence
areas of the world (e.g., sub‑Saharan
Africa). In 2016, AIDS claimed an estimated
1 million lives, of which 120,000 were children.