It is known that perinatal transmission of HIV is preventable by taking some general and some specific measures. The key action to achieve this is to identify which pregnant women are HIV infected early in pregnancy. To achieve this goal it is necessary to perform the ELISA HIV test to all pregnant women at their first prenatal visit. Guidelines for prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV were developed to facilitate the implementation of all necessary actions for the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV in Costa Rica, providing optimal care to the mother and newborn. The key elements of these guidelines include: treatment with 3 antiretrovirals to pregnant women HIV+ from the 12th week of gestation, intravenous zidovudine in labor, cesarean delivery, suspension of breastfeeding and zidovudine prophylaxis to newborn born from 8 hours old. The guidelines also provide recommendations to proceed in special situations related to pregnant woman HIV+ and her child.

human immunodeficiency virus; HIV; perinatal transmission; pregnancy; antiretroviral; breastfeeding; BCG.