Question:medium
Vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child is highest with which of the following?
Vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child is highest with which of the following?
Show Hint
The more virus in maternal blood, the higher the transmission risk.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Elective caesarean section
- High viral RNA load
- Breast feeding
- Term delivery
Show Solution
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: The probability that an HIV-positive mother infects her child rises and falls with how much virus is present and how the delivery and feeding are managed.
Step 2: Of all the listed factors, the quantity of virus in maternal blood, the viral RNA load, has the tightest correlation with infant infection.
Step 3: Elective caesarean section is actually protective, cutting risk by close to $79\%$ versus vaginal delivery, term birth beats prematurity, and breastfeeding raises risk only modestly relative to high viraemia.
Step 4: The option that maximises transmission is therefore high viral RNA load.\[\boxed{\text{High viral RNA load}}\]
Step 2: Of all the listed factors, the quantity of virus in maternal blood, the viral RNA load, has the tightest correlation with infant infection.
Step 3: Elective caesarean section is actually protective, cutting risk by close to $79\%$ versus vaginal delivery, term birth beats prematurity, and breastfeeding raises risk only modestly relative to high viraemia.
Step 4: The option that maximises transmission is therefore high viral RNA load.\[\boxed{\text{High viral RNA load}}\]
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