Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission — DTM&H MCQ

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ModerateHIV/AIDS in tropical settingsPrevention of mother-to-child HIV transmissionDTM&H

A pregnant woman in a rural antenatal clinic tests positive for HIV at 24 weeks. She is clinically well and has not taken ART before. What is the most appropriate prophylaxis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Start maternal ART and plan infant prophylaxis

Start maternal ART and plan infant prophylaxis is the single best answer because maternal ART during pregnancy is central to preventing vertical transmission and protecting maternal health. Delay ART until delivery is plausible in a related presentation, but it is less appropriate because it does not fit the key discriminator in this vignette. The teaching point is that infant prophylaxis and feeding counselling should be integrated into the care pathway.

Reference: WHO consolidated HIV guidelines; WHO advanced HIV disease guidance; Manson's Tropical Diseases