In utero exposure to zidovudine and heart anomalies in the ANRS French perinatal cohort and the nested PRIMEVA randomized trial.

Background: Antiretroviral (ARV) regimens during pregnancy are highly effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Congenital heart defects (CHDs) and anomalies in cardiac function have been reported in zidovudine (ZDV)-exposed uninfected children. We explored these associations in a large observational cohort and a randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Since 1986, the French Perinatal Cohort prospectively enrolled all HIV-infected women in 90 centers and collected follow-up on their children through 2 years of age. All CHDs were reviewed by a specialist blinded to exposures. Additionally, in a randomized trial (PRIMEVA ANRS 135) of 2 ARV regimens during pregnancy, 1 of which was without nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, infants had a specific follow-up including echocardiography at 1 month and 12 months.

Results: Among 12 888 children included, ZDV exposure in the first trimester was significantly associated with CHD (1.5% vs 0.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.7]; P < .001). This association was significant for ventricular septal defects (1.1% vs 0.6%; P = .001) and other CHDs (0.31% vs 0.11%; P = .02). In the randomized trial, among 50 infants, girls (but not boys) exposed in utero to ZDV/lamivudine/ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) had a higher left ventricular shortening fraction at 1 month (40% vs 36%; P = .008), and an increased posterior wall thickness at 1 year (5.4 mm vs 4.4 mm; P = .01) than the LPV/r group.

Conclusions: This study confirms a specific association between in utero exposure to ZDV and CHDs, and a long-lasting postnatal myocardial remodeling in girls. A potential common mechanism, including the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction, must be explored, and long-term consequences on cardiac function warrant specific attention.

Clinical Trials Registration: NCT00424814.