Birth Defects Risk Small With HIV Drugs

Risk of birth defects is small with antiretroviral drugs taken during pregnancy, considering the benefits of preventing the transmission of HIV to the child. But where there are safe and effective alternatives, it might be appropriate to avoid use by pregnant women of drugs that may be associated with elevated risks of birth defects, such as zidovudine and efavirenz, according to a study published by French researchers published in this week's emPLOS Medicine/em. The ...