HIV Test Urged for All Pregnant Women

Making a test for the AIDS virus a routine part of all pregnant women’s prenatal care could help cut the number of babies born with the deadly infection, a panel of top medical experts advised. The Institute of Medicine, in a study requested by Congress, said too many pregnant women who should be tested are not, meaning they miss taking the drug AZT, which can significantly cut their chances of spreading HIV to their babies. Adding HIV testing to the battery of tests all pregnant women routinely get--just like they’re all tested for syphilis--would help find more women in time to help, the institute concluded. “The message to women is, this is a disease for which we can do a great deal right now,” said Dr. Marie McCormick of Harvard University, who chaired the study.