Objective: We sought to determine whether HIV-positive women receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) are at higher risk for preeclampsia than HIV-negative women. Secondary outcomes included comparing the risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age birth in these women.
Methods: In this retrospective matched cohort study, we compared the pregnancy outcomes of HIV-positive women treated with HAART with those of HIV-negative women who gave birth at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario. Data were ascertained through chart review. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to compare pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.
Results: Ninety-one HIV-positive pregnant women receiving HAART and 273 HIV-negative pregnant women were identified. After adjusting for confounding factors, there was no difference between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women in the odds of preeclampsia (3.3% vs. 5.1%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.59; 95% CI 0.11 to 3.08), preterm birth (15.6% vs. 11.4%; aOR 1.70, 95% CI 0.79 to 3.66) or small for gestational age infants (20.2% vs. 8.8%; aOR 2.08, 95% CI 0.89 to 5.24). HIV-positive women treated with HAART had increased odds of giving birth to a low birth weight infant compared to HIV-negative women (20.2% vs. 9.9%; aOR 2.91; 95% CI 1.47 to 5.78).
Conclusion: In this cohort, HIV-positive women on HAART did not demonstrate a higher risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, or small for gestational age infants; however, they did have a higher risk of having low birth weight infants.