Under the Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV (PPTCT) programme of NACP, a newly diagnosed HIV-positive pregnant woman attends an antenatal clinic at 20 weeks gestation. What is the current recommended approach irrespective of her CD4 count?

• A Single dose nevirapine at onset of labour
• B Lifelong triple-drug antiretroviral therapy started immediately ✓
• C Zidovudine monotherapy from 28 weeks until delivery
• D ART deferred until CD4 count falls below 350 cells/mm3

Explanation

India adopted the Option C+ strategy, so every HIV-positive pregnant or breastfeeding woman receives lifelong triple-drug ART (currently tenofovir, lamivudine and dolutegravir) regardless of CD4 count or clinical stage. This protects the infant through pregnancy and lactation and continues maternal treatment for life. Single-dose nevirapine and zidovudine monotherapy are obsolete regimens associated with resistance, and deferring ART until a CD4 threshold contradicts the Test and Treat policy.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.