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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A new study finds that children with HIV are far more likely to receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) — and suppress the virus — when their mothers are also on treatment. Analyzing data from 686 mother-child pairs across 13 sub-Saharan African countries, researchers found that maternal ART use was strongly linked to child ART uptake, which in turn drove better viral suppression in kids.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a powerful ripple effect in HIV care: when mothers living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) or have achieved viral load suppression, their children are dramatically more likely to receive ART themselves — and ultimately suppress the virus. The research analyzed data from 686 HIV-positive mother-child pairs across 13 sub-Saharan African countries between 2015 and 2019.
The key finding? Maternal ART use was associated with over 20 times higher odds of a child being on ART — and child ART uptake was the primary pathway through which maternal care translated into better child outcomes. Notably, the youngest children (ages 0–4) and those born to the youngest mothers (ages 15–24) had the lowest treatment and suppression rates.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings underscore that keeping mothers engaged in HIV care isn't just good for them — it's a critical lever for improving child health outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa.
