Adverse pregnancy outcomes among HIV-positive pregnant women treated with efavirenz-containing antiretroviral drugs: a retrospective cohort study in the Cape Flats
Abstract
The use of efavirenz (EFV) in the first trimester of pregnancy
remains controversial. In South Africa, the use of EFV-containing antiretroviral
therapy (ART) as part of a Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) during the first
trimester of pregnancy started in April, 2013. Literature to date has reported
conflicting outcomes following the use of EFV-containing ART during the first
trimester of pregnancy. The objectives of the study were to determine the
prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes among HIV-positive pregnant women
treated with EFV-containing ART and compare these results with those of pregnant
women treated with NVP-containing ART and HIV-negative pregnant women in
resource-limited settings. In addition, the study also aimed to determine the effect
of the time of initiation of ART on the prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.