HIV detection in amniotic fluid samples. Amniocentesis can be performed in HIV pregnant women?

Objectives: To assess amniotic fluid (AF) HIV contamination as a marker of intrauterine HIV infection and to evaluate amniocentesis as a risk factor for vertical HIV transmission when the mother was under antiretroviral treatment.

Study Design: Three hundred and sixty-six HIV pregnant women were included in the study. AF was obtained from three groups of patients: (a) genetic amniocentesis before 1997 (n=11); (b) amniocentesis a few days before the delivery day (n=18); and (c) AF collected on delivery (n=38).