Advertisement

Can a test tube baby carry HIV?

Dr LM Nath
Consultant, Community Medicine,
New Delhi

Q: Can a HIV/AIDS infected women go for a test tube baby to prevent the baby from getting infected by the same infection?

A:A test tube baby does not confer any advantage in the prevention of HIV infection. However appropriate treatment and handling of delivery can reduce the chance of a vertical infection virtually to zero. You must be very sure you want to have a baby and that you are able to arrange for the care and upbringing of the baby if something untoward happens to the two of you.