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Purpose: To investigate the risk factors for an HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load above 400 copies/mL in the third trimester of pregnancy., Methods: Data from a large national study were used. The possible determinants were assessed in univariate analyses and in a multivariate logistic regression model in order to adjust for possible confounders., Results: Among 662 pregnancies followed between 2001 and 2008, 131 (19.8%) had an HIV-1 plasma copy number above 400/mL at the third trimester of pregnancy. In the multivariate analysis, the variables significantly associated with this occurrence were earlier calendar year (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] per additional calendar year, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63-0.77; P<.001), lower CD4 count at enrollment (AOR per 100 cells lower, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09-1.27; P<.001), HIV-1 RNA levels above 400 copies per mL at enrollment (AOR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.50-3.33; P<.001), and treatment modification during pregnancy (AOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.07-2.57; P=.024)., Conclusions: Treatment changes in pregnancy significantly increase the risk of an incomplete viral suppression at the end of pregnancy. In HIV-infected women of childbearing age, proper preconception care, which includes the preferential prescription of regimens with the best safety profile in pregnancy, is likely to prevent an incomplete viral suppression at the end of pregnancy.

Background: Few studies have assessed the determinants of birthweight in newborns from HIV-positive mothers in analyses that adjusted for different gestational age at delivery., Method: We calculated gestational age-adjusted birthweight Z-score values in a national series of 600 newborns from women with HIV and in 600 newborns from HIV-negative women matched for gender and gestational age. The determinants of Z-score values in newborns from HIV-positive mothers were assessed in univariate and multivariate regression analyses., Results: Compared to newborns from HIV-negative women, newborns from HIV-positive women had significantly lower absolute birthweight (2799 vs. 2887 g; p = .007) and birthweight Z score (-0.430 vs. -0.222; p < .001). Among newborns from mothers with HIV, the maternal characteristics associated with significantly lower Z-score values in univariate analyses were recent substance use (Z-score difference [ZSD] 0.612, 95% CI 0.359-0.864, p < .001), smoking >10 cigarettes/day (ZSD 0.323, 95% CI 0.129-0.518, p = .001), absence of pregnancies in the past (ZSD 0.200, 95% CI 0.050-0.349, p = .009), no antiretroviral treatment in the past (ZSD 0.186, 95% CI 0.044-0.327, p = .010), and Caucasian ethnicity compared to Hispanic (ZSD 0.248, 95% CI 0.022-0.475, p = .032). Body mass index (BMI) at conception and maternal glycemia levels during pregnancy were also significantly related to birthweight Z scores. Glycemia, BMI, and recent substance use maintained a significant association with Z-score values in multivariate analyses. In the multivariate analysis, the only factors significantly associated with Z-score values below the 10th percentile were recent substance use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.17, 95% CI 1.15-8.74) and smoking (AOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.13-4.49)., Discussion: We identified several factors associated with gestational age-adjusted birthweight in newborns from women with HIV. Smoking and substance use have a significant negative impact on intrauterine growth, which adds to an independent HIV-related effect on birthweight. Prevention and information on this issue should be reinforced in women with HIV of childbearing age to reduce the risk of negative outcomes in their offspring.

Purpose: We investigated the evolution of serum lipid levels in HIV-infected pregnant women and the potential effect of antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy using data from a national surveillance study., Method: Fasting lipid measurements collected during routine care in pregnancy were used, analyzing longitudinal changes and differences in lipid values at each trimester by protease inhibitors (PIs) and stavudine use. Multivariate analyses were used to control for simultaneous factors potentially leading to hyperlipidemia. Study population included 248 women., Results: Lipid values increased progressively and significantly during pregnancy: mean increases between the first and third trimesters were 141.6 mg/dL for triglycerides (p < .001), 60.8 mg/dL for total cholesterol (p < .001), 13.7 mg/dL for HDL cholesterol (p < .001), and 17.8 mg/dL for LDL cholesterol (p = .001). At all trimesters, women on PIs had significantly higher triglyceride values compared to women not on PIs. The effect of PIs on cholesterol levels was less consistent. Stavudine showed a dyslipidemic effect at first trimester only. Multivariate analyses confirmed these observations and suggested a potential role of other cofactors in the development of hyperlipidemia during pregnancy., Conclusion: The changes observed point to the need to further explore the causes and the clinical correlates of hyperlipidemia during pregnancy in women with HIV.