States pushed to test newborns for HIV

Article Abstract:

States which do not meet standards for reducing rates of new HIV infection by Mar 2000 will be required to begin mandatory HIV testing of newborns, according to an agreement contained in the reauthorization of the 1990 Ryan White CARE Act. The controversial agreement is seen as a positive compromise by the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, most organized medicine groups, as well as AIDS activists, favor counseling and voluntary testing instead of mandatory testing.

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HIV testing of pregnant women, newborns debated

Article Abstract:

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines on the testing of pregnant women and newborns for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on Jul 7, 1995. These guidelines recommend that physicians discuss HIV with their pregnant patients and offer them voluntary testing. HIV-positive women who are given zidovudine, also known as AZT, can decrease HIV transmission to their fetuses by as much as 66%.

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AMA reaffirms mandatory HIV testing in pregnancy

Article Abstract:

The American Medical Association (AMA) will continue to advocate legislation requiring HIV testing for pregnant women and newborns. The AMA House of Delegates reaffirmed their support for mandatory testing by a 271-119 vote. The house also voted to hold health care professionals accountable for counseling pregnant women about prenatal care and HIV.

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