BIRTH DEFECTS

WHAT IS CONGENITAL HIV INFECTION?

• H.I.V = human immunodeficiency virus
• Congenital- the disease was developed while in womb/birthing
• H.I.V attacks the immune system to weaken it (easily become sick)
• If untreated

CAUSES

• Congenital HIV spreads from mother to unborn baby

SYMPTOMS

• Many times there are no symptoms in this case of disease, however it is still doing great damage to the immune system.
• Lack of energry
• Weight loss
• Sick often and for long periods of time

DETECTIONS

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a way for early detection for baby's of HIV mothers and is usually performed at multiple stages in development for baby.

TREATMENT

• A anti-removal drug can be given to expecting mother to reduce the chance of the baby being born with hiv
• Encouraged for a infected mother not to breastfeed.
• Perform a c section to reduce chance of transmission by avoiding the birth canal.

Once the child is confirmed to have HIV, it is uncurible. However, the child can have treatment to delay the disease.

HIV doesn't kill you! It weakens the immune system and then a different disease/ sickness will cause death.

SOURCES