Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 55 971 297 at 12.25pm on Thursday February 12 2004.
New HIV tests for pregnant women may prove crucial to the lives of five unborn babies whose mothers where unaware that they had the virus.
Since the British government decision in July last year to routinely offer HIV-screening during antenatal visits, five women in Greater Glasgow have tested positive.
It meant the women and health workers were able to take precautions to reduce risks to the foetuses. Without treatment one in six babies of HIV-positive women would be affected.
British National Health Service consultant Dr Syed Ahmed said: ‘Although it’s 18 months before it can be confirmed that a baby doesn’t have HIV, diagnosis of the mother and appropriate delivery measures reduce the likelihood to one in 100.”
Ahmed added: ‘HIV-positive mums-to-be are also being given the option of a caesarean delivery and are encouraged to bottle-feed rather than breastfeed — again cutting down the risk of infecting the baby.
Source: bbc.co.uk