Tolerance of zidovudine for PMTCT of HIV

Haematological safety of perinatal zidovudine in pregnant HIV-1-infected women in Thailand: secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

The objective of this study was to respond to the primary safety objective of the PHPT-1 study by studying the evolution of haematological parameters according to zidovudine exposure duration in HIV-1-infected pregnant women. It was found that zidovudine initiated at 28 wk gestation rather than 35 wk had a transient negative impact on the evolution of haematological parameters, which was largely reversed by delivery despite continuation of zidovudine. This result provides reassurance about the safety of early initiation of zidovudine prophylaxis during pregnancy to maximize prevention of perinatal HIV.

For further information please refer to Haematological safety of perinatal zidovudine in pregnant HIV-1-infected women in Thailand: secondary analysis of a randomized trial. [pubmed.org]

Growth of human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected children exposed to perinatal zidovudine for the prevention of mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus transmission.

This objective of this study was to investigate the impact of in utero and postnatal zidovudine exposure on the growth of HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-infected women. It was found that although a longer in utero zidovudine exposure may have had a negative impact on birth weight, the magnitude of this effect was small and faded over time. Neither the total nor the postnatal duration of exposure was associated with changes in infant Z-scores from 6 weeks to 18 months of age.

For further information please refer to Growth of human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected children exposed to perinatal zidovudine for the prevention of mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus transmission. [pubmed.org]