Antiretroviral Drug Exposure During Pregnancy Poses Risk of Developmental Problems in Infants

HIV-positive pregnant women who take anti-retroviral treatments (ARV) containing atazanavir may have children with developmental problems, said a new study.

The Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort study published in the Journal AIDS was conducted among 1000 infants whose mothers took HIV treatments during pregnancy. Researchers analyzed children belonging to two groups namely, whose mothers received ARV with atazanavir drug and without atazanavir drug during pregnancy.

‘The antiretroviral drug atazanavir used to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission during pregnancy may have significant effects on infant development. ’

Children were assessed for infant development using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition, or "Bayley III." The results showed lower language development scores for infants whose mothers received atazanavir during the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy.

The social-emotional development was also less for these infants, but there was much difference only in children of mothers who initiated the treatment during the second or third trimester-but not the first trimester.

"Language score was about three points lower in the atazanavir group, compared to an average subscale score of 93; while social-emotional score was five points lower, compared to an average of 100. These differences may not have large clinical implications, but they add another risk to the constellation of existing biological and socio-environmental risk factors to which these children are often exposed," according to Dr.Caniglia and coauthors.

Reference: Caniglia, Ellen, et al. Atazanavir exposure in utero and neurodevelopment in infants: A comparative safety study, AIDS 2016, doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001052.

Source: Medindia