PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission) refers to medical interventions designed to prevent HIV transmission from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding.
Without treatment, the risk of transmission ranges from 15% to 45%. However, effective PMTCT strategies reduce this risk to below 5%.
Key Components of PMTCT:
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): Pregnant mothers living with HIV take daily ART to lower their viral load to undetectable levels.
Prophylaxis for the Infant: Newborns receive preventive ARV medications for several weeks after birth.
Safe Delivery & Feeding: Clinical guidelines recommend safe delivery practices and supported infant feeding choices.