Antiretroviral Therapy and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in People Living with HIV

This comprehensive review summarizes current evidence on the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and its association with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. It highlights that while ART greatly reduces vertical HIV transmission, some regimens, particularly older protease inhibitor-based ones are linked to increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age outcomes, and other complications like anemia, liver injury, and gestational diabetes. The review emphasizes the need for earlier pharmacokinetic and safety data for newer ART agents during pregnancy and recommends improved research standards to inform treatment guidelines.

This comprehensive review summarizes current evidence on the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and its association with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. It highlights that while ART greatly reduces vertical HIV transmission, some regimens, particularly older protease inhibitor-based ones are linked to increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age outcomes, and other complications like anemia, liver injury, and gestational diabetes. The review emphasizes the need for earlier pharmacokinetic and safety data for newer ART agents during pregnancy and recommends improved research standards to inform treatment guidelines.