Azt In Trial To Protect Babies From A.i,d.s. (Press, 31 August 1989)
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Summary: Azt In Trial To Protect Babies From A.i,d.s. (Press, 31 August 1989)
In a groundbreaking trial announced on 31 August 1989, pregnant women diagnosed with AIDS are set to receive the anti-AIDS drug Zidovudine, commonly known as AZT, in an effort to prevent their babies from contracting the disease. This significant initiative is being spearheaded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, with a specific aim to address the alarming growth of AIDS cases among newborns. Dr Anthony Fauci, the institute's director, highlighted the urgent need for research in this area, noting that infected infants have a bleak outlook. The exact mechanisms of how AIDS is transmitted from mother to child remain largely unknown, but it is believed to occur during pregnancy, during childbirth through contact with maternal blood, or via breastfeeding after birth. It is observed that many infants with AIDS are born to mothers who are intravenous drug users or have partners who are. The study will initially include ten women infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus responsible for AIDS. The first phase of the trial will involve six participants with no recent history of drug abuse. Subsequently, four women who are intravenous drug users but are currently maintained on methadone— used to manage withdrawal from illegal drugs— will join the trial. All participants will begin the study by receiving AZT injections and will continue their treatment throughout their pregnancies by taking 200 milligram AZT pills five times a day. Once the women go into labour, they will receive another injection of AZT. The infants' health will be closely monitored for 18 months post-delivery, focusing on their development and checking for signs of AIDS. This experiment represents a hopeful step forward in the ongoing battle against AIDS, particularly concerning its impact on the youngest and most vulnerable patients. With this initiative, researchers aim to find effective interventions to safeguard at-risk infants from the disease.
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