Reduction of Maternal–Infant Transmission of HIV Type 1 With Zidovudine Treatment

Abstract

This article summarizes the landmark results of Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol 076. Pregnant women between 14 and 34 weeks with a CD4 count above 200 and no indication for antiretroviral therapy were randomized to zidovudine treatment or placebo. Zidovudine was shown to reduce HIV transmission from mother to child by 67.5%. Zidovudine treatment was not associated with neonatal death, premature birth, fetal growth or structural abnormalities. The majority of maternal adverse effects were obstetric complications that were not associated with either placebo or intervention groups. It reviews study design, findings, and limitations. This study is then situated in historical context and in reference to current guidelines.