The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has significantly updated its guidelines on the treatment of HIV-positive pregnant women and their newborns. The new guidelines, published on November 2, are the first significant update since October 2006.

The new guidelines include updated information and several new tables on the use of antiretrovirals (ARVs) to protect HIV-positive pregnant women from disease progression while simultaneously protecting the fetus from HIV infection and drug toxicity. Highlights include the recommendation against using Viracept (nelfinavir) in pregnant women due to contamination recently found in the manufacturing process, as well as information on using new ARVs like Isentress (raltegravir) and Selzentry (maraviroc).

Additional sections include medical management for pregnant women in special situations, such as those coinfected with hepatitis B or C, and the use of ARVs during delivery. The new guidelines also include a new section that offers a thorough review of studies on the use of ARVs to prevent transmission from mother to child.