HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, during delivery, or through breast milk, resulting in the baby also contracting HIV. This is the third most common way in which HIV is transmitted globally. In the absence of treatment, the risk of transmission before or during birth is around 20 % and in those who also breastfeed 35 %. As of 2008, vertical transmission accounted for about 90 % of cases of HIV in children. With appropriate treatment the risk of mother - to - child infection can be reduced to about 1 %. Preventive treatment involves the mother taking antiretrovirals during pregnancy and delivery, an elective caesarean section, avoiding breastfeeding, and administering antiretroviral drugs to the newborn. Antiretrovirals when taken by either the mother or the infant decrease the risk of transmission in those who do breastfeed. However, many of these measures are not available in the developing world. If blood contaminates food during pre-chewing it may pose a risk of transmission.
the primary cause of pediatric aids in the us is from
pregnancy, during delivery, or through breast milk