Estimate of infant HIV-free survival at 6 to 8 weeks of age due to maternal antiretroviral prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa, 2004-2005

The objective of this study is to estimate the number of infants alive and HIV-free at 6 to 8 weeks in sub-Saharan Africa due to intervention with antiretroviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The number of additional uninfected live infants at 6 to 8 weeks of age due to prophylaxis was calculated using prevalence and prophylaxis data from the World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund and data on the efficacy of nevirapine and birth and mortality rates among infants of infected mothers who received prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately 31 474 African infants were spared from HIV infection or death by 6 to 8 weeks of age due to prophylaxis in 2004 and 2005. The number of infections and deaths averted per year increased from 13 710 in 2004 to 17 764 in 2005. The estimated number of infant HIV infections and deaths averted in 2004 and 2005 due to prophylaxis is encouraging.