Early HIV Testing and Treatment Can Save Newborn Lives

[Guest guest]

Early HIV Testing and Treatment Can Save Newborn Lives, Says New UN

Report Released on World AIDS Day

United Nations Children's Fund

(New York)

PRESS RELEASE

1 December 2008

Posted to the web 1 December 2008

New York

Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the prospects

for survival of newborn babies exposed to HIV, according to a report

released today by four United Nations agencies.

The report, titled Children and AIDS: Third stocktaking report, was

jointly prepared by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United

Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and released on World Aids Day.

" Without appropriate treatment, half of children with HIV will die

from an HIV-related cause by their second birthday, " said Ann M.

Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. " Survival rates are up to 75 per

cent higher for HIV-positive newborns who are diagnosed and begin

treatment within their first 12 weeks. "

However, in 2007, less than 10 per cent of infants born to HIV-

positive mothers were tested for HIV before they were two months

old. The report advocates for increased testing to enable

appropriate treatments to begin as early as possible.

" Today, no infant should have to die of AIDS, " said WHO Director-

General Dr. Margaret Chan. " We know how to prevent these tragic

deaths, but now we need to focus on strengthening our healthcare

systems to ensure that all mothers and children receive treatment as

early as possible. "

Early infant testing in some of the countries hardest hit by HIV and

AIDS, such as Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa,

Swaziland and Zambia, is being scaled up. In 2007, 30 low- and middle-

income countries were using dried blood spot filter testing, up from

17 countries in 2005. In several countries in sub-Saharan Africa,

including Botswana and South Africa, many infants are now tested for

HIV at as young as six weeks of age, using dried blood spot testing,

and many of those who test positive are provided antiretroviral

therapy.

Far too few pregnant women know their HIV status. In 2007, only 18

per cent of pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries were

given an HIV test, and of those who tested positive, only 12 per cent

were further screened to determine the stage of HIV disease and the

type of treatment they require.

" The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is not only

effective, but also a human right, " said UNAIDS Executive Director

Dr. Piot. " We are seeing good progress in many countries,

especially in parts of Africa, but we need to significantly scale up

HIV testing and treatment for pregnant women. "

The report also recommends increased access to tests assessing immune

functions of HIV-positive mothers to determine their stage of HIV

disease and provide a basis for decisions about appropriate treatment

that addresses their own health needs and reduces the chance of the

virus being passed to their offspring.

Addressing prevention is also a key part of the UN strategy on HIV

and AIDS. Significant numbers of young people continue to be

infected with HIV each year – 45 per cent of all new infections occur

in the 15–24 year-old age group. Young people are a component of

national HIV strategic plans in 22 countries in West and Central

Africa. In Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and

Nigeria, there are programmes that focus on reducing risky

behaviours, vulnerability and disparity among young people both in

school and out of school.

" In a world with HIV and AIDS, young people need comprehensive

information and education and access to sexual and reproductive

health services to protect their right to health, " said Thoraya Ahmed

Obaid, UNFPA's Executive Director. " Preventing HIV infection in women

is the first line of defence in preventing HIV in newborns. Involving

young people in HIV efforts is the best way to ensure that programmes

are well-targeted and effective. "

Pediatric AIDS treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission

and prevention of new infections among adolescents and young people

are three of the four core components of Unite for Children, Unite

against AIDS discussed in the Stocktaking report. The last section

advocates for expanded protection and care for the approximately 15

million children globally who have lost either one or both of their

parents due to AIDS, sparking greater attention to the needs of all

vulnerable children.

[Guest guest]

Early HIV Testing and Treatment Can Save Newborn Lives, Says New UN

Report Released on World AIDS Day

United Nations Children's Fund

(New York)

PRESS RELEASE

1 December 2008

Posted to the web 1 December 2008

New York

Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the prospects

for survival of newborn babies exposed to HIV, according to a report

released today by four United Nations agencies.

The report, titled Children and AIDS: Third stocktaking report, was

jointly prepared by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United

Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and released on World Aids Day.

" Without appropriate treatment, half of children with HIV will die

from an HIV-related cause by their second birthday, " said Ann M.

Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. " Survival rates are up to 75 per

cent higher for HIV-positive newborns who are diagnosed and begin

treatment within their first 12 weeks. "

However, in 2007, less than 10 per cent of infants born to HIV-

positive mothers were tested for HIV before they were two months

old. The report advocates for increased testing to enable

appropriate treatments to begin as early as possible.

" Today, no infant should have to die of AIDS, " said WHO Director-

General Dr. Margaret Chan. " We know how to prevent these tragic

deaths, but now we need to focus on strengthening our healthcare

systems to ensure that all mothers and children receive treatment as

early as possible. "

Early infant testing in some of the countries hardest hit by HIV and

AIDS, such as Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa,

Swaziland and Zambia, is being scaled up. In 2007, 30 low- and middle-

income countries were using dried blood spot filter testing, up from

17 countries in 2005. In several countries in sub-Saharan Africa,

including Botswana and South Africa, many infants are now tested for

HIV at as young as six weeks of age, using dried blood spot testing,

and many of those who test positive are provided antiretroviral

therapy.

Far too few pregnant women know their HIV status. In 2007, only 18

per cent of pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries were

given an HIV test, and of those who tested positive, only 12 per cent

were further screened to determine the stage of HIV disease and the

type of treatment they require.

" The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is not only

effective, but also a human right, " said UNAIDS Executive Director

Dr. Piot. " We are seeing good progress in many countries,

especially in parts of Africa, but we need to significantly scale up

HIV testing and treatment for pregnant women. "

The report also recommends increased access to tests assessing immune

functions of HIV-positive mothers to determine their stage of HIV

disease and provide a basis for decisions about appropriate treatment

that addresses their own health needs and reduces the chance of the

virus being passed to their offspring.

Addressing prevention is also a key part of the UN strategy on HIV

and AIDS. Significant numbers of young people continue to be

infected with HIV each year – 45 per cent of all new infections occur

in the 15–24 year-old age group. Young people are a component of

national HIV strategic plans in 22 countries in West and Central

Africa. In Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and

Nigeria, there are programmes that focus on reducing risky

behaviours, vulnerability and disparity among young people both in

school and out of school.

" In a world with HIV and AIDS, young people need comprehensive

information and education and access to sexual and reproductive

health services to protect their right to health, " said Thoraya Ahmed

Obaid, UNFPA's Executive Director. " Preventing HIV infection in women

is the first line of defence in preventing HIV in newborns. Involving

young people in HIV efforts is the best way to ensure that programmes

are well-targeted and effective. "

Pediatric AIDS treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission

and prevention of new infections among adolescents and young people

are three of the four core components of Unite for Children, Unite

against AIDS discussed in the Stocktaking report. The last section

advocates for expanded protection and care for the approximately 15

million children globally who have lost either one or both of their

parents due to AIDS, sparking greater attention to the needs of all

vulnerable children.