Vertical Transmission Prevention

What is Vertical Transmission for HIV Prevention?

Vertical transmission of HIV  (also known as mother to child transmission and abbreviated as ‘MTCT’) has been virtually eliminated in the global North. This is because treatment to prevent HIV infection in newborns has been available for over a decade. The treatment involves is providing a simple, affordable bio-medical intervention, providing ARV drugs to mother and child at birth, to a highly visible and easy to reach target population. Research into improved design of vertical transmission services at birth and during breastfeeding remain an important goal in reducing infant HIV infection.

Vertical Transmission Prevention Investment

Funding for operations research related to prevention of vertical transmission from mother to child at birth and during breast feeding was US$59.7 million in 2010. The public sector accounted for all of this funding, with the United States, through the NIH and USAID, contributing 95% and ANRS, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the Swedish International Development Agency providing additional funding. There were eight active clinical trials testing vertical transmission prevention in 2010. These studies focused on issues related to prevention of vertical transmission at birth and through breastfeeding, and to ARV resistance in HIV-positive women taking ARV regimens designed to prevent vertical transmission.