Pubdate: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL) Copyright: 2000 Orlando Sentinel Contact: 633 N.Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801 Fax: (407) 420-5286 Website: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Forum: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/interact/messageboards/ Pubdate: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 Author: Lisa Early Note: The author is Director of The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women, Orlando Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1104/a12.htm ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY I want to comment on Stephen Chapman's recent op-ed piece promoting syringe distribution to addicts to prevent transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus to women so their babies won't become infected. A more practical solution is AZT treatment. Pregnant HIV-infected women receiving AZT at sites throughout the nation, including right here in Orlando, don't transmit HIV to their babies. At Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women, our HUG-Me program -- a designated Ryan White national site -- has not had a single case of mother-baby transmission in two years! In 1998, we treated 60 pregnant HIV-positive women. In 1999, the number was 65. This year, 63 women are already enrolled. Not one of these 188 HIV-positive women transmitted the virus to her baby. Without treatment, an estimated 25 percent -- or 47 babies - would have become HIV-positive. Obstetrician/gynecologists must inform pregnant women of the benefits of testing. I urge pregnant women reading this to get tested. The implications for your baby could be enormous. Most HIV-infected women aren't drug addicts. Most of them look just like you. Lisa Early Director, The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women ORLANDO - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst