Efficacy and safety of cesarean delivery for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1.

Cesarean section before labor and before ruptured membranes ("elective cesarean section", or ECS) has been introduced as an intervention for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1. The role of mode of delivery in the management of HIV-1-infected women should be assessed in light of risks as well as benefits, since HIV-1-infected pregnant women must be provided with available information with which to make informed decisions regarding cesarean section and other options to prevent transmission of infection to their children.