Question
Which meds are given to a baby if the mother is living with HIV?
9 June 2022. Related: All topics, Children, Pregnancy.
Answer
All babies are given HIV meds if their mother is living with HIV. These are given as liquids (syrups) so it is easy for the baby to take.
This gives extra protection from HIV even if the baby’s risk is already very low.
The meds for the baby include one or more of these three syrups:
- nevirapine (NVP).
- zidovudine (AZT).
- lamivudine (3TC).
Which meds are used, and for how long, depends on which country you live in.
Please talk to your nurse or doctor about which of these are recommended for your baby.
Tables 1 and 2 below show the differences in UK and WHO guidelines.
Table 1: British HIV Association (BHIVA) guidelines
Also most high-income countries in Europe and the US etc.
Babies start meds (syrup) within four hours of birth.
| Risk | Details | Daily ARV syrups | Duration |
| Lowest risk | Mother on ART for more than 10 weeks and two VL <50 at birth. | AZT only | 2 weeks |
| Low risk | Baby born before 34 weeks and mother only one VL <50 at birth. | AZT only | 4 weeks |
| Higher risk | Mother’s VL > 50 or unknown at birth. | AZT + 3TC + NVP | 4 weeks |
*adapted from BHIVA pregnancy guidelines (2020 update)
Table 2: World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines
Most lower-income countries including Africa, Asia and the rest of the world.
Babies start meds (syrup) within ….. ?
| Risk | Details | Daily ARV syrup’s * | Duration ** |
| Lowest risk | Mother’s VL <1000 at birth AND on ART for more than 4 weeks. | NVP only | 4 to 6 weeks
OR 12 weeks depending on country |
| Higher risk | Mother not on ART for more than 4 weeks OR
VL >1000 in 4 weeks before birth. |
AZT + NVP | 6 weeks (if only using formula milk).
12 weeks (if breastfeeding). |
* These countries use different meds:
- Botswana
- Tanzania
- Zamibia
* These countries offer a MINIMUM of 12 weeks meds:
- Eswatini
- Kenya
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Zambia
Co-trimoxazole
Co-trimoxazole is a different type of medicine for the baby. It is not used to protect against HIV. It is a combination of of antibiotics. This medication is used to stop other infections. It is given to baby when a screening test is positive for HIV.
Baby will continue with co-trimoxazole if baby then is diagnosed with HIV.
- Co-trimoxazole is also known as Septrin or Bactrim.
Hi Cathy, I am pretty sure that most guidelines still recommend that the final test for the baby is at 2 years old. This is because this is how long it takes for a baby to develop their own antibodies. Up until 2 years old their can still be the mothers antibodies which would stop the anitibody test from being accurate.
Good afternoon
I gave birth in September 2023 and I am HIV positive. My VL was undetectable and my child did 2CRP HIV test and they both came back negative.i chose exclusive bottle feeding and was told to go for another tests after turning six months old. Is it really necessary to take her? She’s not on any Meds.