The success of new drug treatments has meant that it is almost four years since an HIV-positive baby was born in this State. But the number of mothers with the virus has been significantly increasing, according to a leading consultant.
Dr Karina Butler, who treats pregnant women and babies, said it was "fantastic" that babies were being born infection-free after their mothers were treated during pregnancy. In 1994 four babies were born to infected mothers. The number last year was 10, and so far this year it is 15. These women are being treated with combination drug therapies from early in their pregnancies right through to birth. In this way the virus is suppressed.
"There has been a dramatic change in that we are not seeing babies infected any more. However, it seems that with the better treatment people have lost the spectre of dying from AIDS. It is not as in-their-face, and you never think it will happen to you. It is a disturbing trend," said Dr Butler, a consultant in infectious diseases at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin.
Dr Butler told The Irish Times the epidemiology of the disease was changing, and its incidence among heterosexuals was increasing in Ireland. A few years ago the majority of mothers she was seeing had become infected through intravenous drug use.
"Of course, the new treatment also means that these people are not seeing other members of the family dying from AIDS, following intravenous drug use, like they were seven years ago when things were at their worst. Also some are electing to have more babies because of the successful treatment." Previously, she said, the people she dealt with all had Dublin addresses; "now they are from all around the country". According to AIDS figures, the highest increase among those testing positive is among heterosexuals. Between March 1997 and March 1998 45 new cases were diagnosed, representing a 35 per cent increase.
The Department of Health has agreed to introduce ante-natal screening for HIV to ensure that all pregnant mothers who have the virus are treated.
"We are hoping that it will be in place early next year. There should be a media campaign highlighting why it is good to have a test," said Dr Butler. She added it was still the "honeymoon" period of the new treatment but warned that it would not last for ever.
Ms Jacinta Brack, public relations officer with Cairdre, the AIDS support group, said that, globally, out of 30 million people with HIV infection up to 80 per cent were infected through heterosexual contact. Figures in Ireland had not reflected this but they were now catching up.
"We made this prediction a couple of years ago. I think maybe people are complacent about heterosexual contact and think `this is not something that is going to infect me'. The figures are probably going to keep increasing," she said.