Perinatal HIV transmission can occur during which periods?

• A. Pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
• B. During pregnancy
• C. During breastfeeding
• D. Only during delivery

Answer: (A)

HIV can be transmitted at several points in the perinatal period: during pregnancy (in utero), during the actual delivery (intrapartum), and after birth through breast milk (postnatal). Because the virus can cross the placenta before birth, be exposed to maternal blood and secretions during labor, and be present in breast milk after birth, the statement that transmission can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding best captures all the possible windows. The other options are incomplete because they recognize only one time period. In practice, preventing transmission relies on suppressing the mother's viral load with antiretroviral therapy throughout pregnancy, addressing intrapartum exposure when needed, and following guidelines for feeding to minimize postnatal risk.