Bibliographic information
Recommendation
In generalized epidemic settings, ART should be initiated and maintained in eligible pregnant and postpartum women and in infants at maternal and child health-care settings, with linkage and referral to ongoing HIV care and ART, where appropriate
Recommended in favor
Strong
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Notes and Remarks
- In many contexts, most women living with HIV who become pregnant are already receiving ART. These women should be offered the choice of continuing to receive their HIV care in their differentiated service delivery model while attending antenatal care, postnatal care and receiving additional viral load monitoring.
- Clear plans are needed for when and how to transition and link families to HIV services and, where relevant, back into maternal and child health care.
- Decisions should preserve women’s choice of ART care location and consider service capacity, quality, accessibility and local HIV burden, without compromising efficient, person-centred antenatal care.
- Differentiated service delivery models (such as adherence clubs) may be adapted for postpartum care of the mother and the exposed infant.
Also Featured In
This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:
Consolidated guidelines on general HIV care and the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection: recommendations for a public health approach
Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection: recommendations for a public health approach
Consolidated guideline on sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV
Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, service delivery and monitoring: recommendations for a public health approach
WHO recommendations on maternal health: guidelines approved by the WHO Guidelines Review Committee, second edition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2025