Complying with the HIV test algorithm for diagnosing children aged from 1 to 18 months born to HIV–positive mothers

Abstract

The evolution of the epidemic of HIV in Brazil has especially affected women, and the control of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) has been a new challenge to be faced. This study assessed the compliance with the algorithm recommended by the Ministry of Health (MH) for diagnosing the children born to HIV-positive mothers, followed-up in the Regional Central Laboratory of the Instituto Adolfo Lutz of São José do Rio Preto-X, and to evaluate the occurrence of mother-to-child transmission. This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data on the CD4+ T-cell count and viral load System for Controlling Laboratory Examinations (SISCEL) and System for Hospital Management (SIGH) from January 2009 to December 2014. In this period, 265 children were registered, being 141 (53.2%) male and 124 (46.8%) female; and only 217 (81.9%) complied with the algorithm recommended by the MH. The mean prevalence of MTCT was 5.9%. Despite the efforts exerted by the MH, the HIV algorithm noncompliance still occurs, and the vertical transmission rate is higher than 2%. These data reinforce the need to intensify the surveillance, to improve the information and the follow-up of pregnant women, and to rescue those responsible who do not strictly comply with the algorithm proposed by the MH.