Adverse pregnancy outcomes among HIV-positive pregnant women treated with efavirenz-containing antiretroviral drugs: a retrospective cohort study in the Cape Flats

• Main Author: Mohammednur, Mohammedmekin Mohammedseid
• Other Authors: Mugabo, Pierre
• Language: en
• Published: University of the Western Cape 2018
• Subjects: Adverse pregnancy outcomes; Antiretroviral drug; Birth defect; Efavirenz; First trimester; HIV; Low birth weight; Nevirapine; Pregnant women; Preterm delivery
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11394/6185

Doctor Pharmaceuticae - Dpharm === The use of efavirenz (EFV) in the first trimester of pregnancy remains controversial. In South Africa, the use of EFV-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) as part of a Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) during the first trimester of pregnancy started in April, 2013. Literature to date has reported conflicting outcomes following the use of EFV-containing ART during the first trimester of pregnancy. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes among HIV-positive pregnant women treated with EFV-containing ART and compare these results with those of pregnant women treated with NVP-containing ART and HIV-negative pregnant women in resource-limited settings. In addition, the study also aimed to determine the effect of the time of initiation of ART on the prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.