NACP Drug for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
Under India's National AIDS Control Program (NACP), Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission (PPTCT) services include giving antiretroviral prophylaxis to both the HIV-positive mother during pregnancy/delivery and to the newborn after birth. The drug of choice for the newborn is Nevirapine, given as a single oral dose (syrup) within 72 hours of birth, as it is safe, easy to administer, and effectively reduces the risk of intrapartum and early postnatal transmission of HIV from mother to child.
Option-wise Analysis
- Indinavir — This is a protease inhibitor used in combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected adults. It is not used for newborn prophylaxis and is not part of the NACP infant PMTCT protocol.
- Stavudine — A nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) historically used in adult/pediatric ART regimens, but it is not the specific drug recommended for newborn prophylaxis against mother-to-child transmission.
- Nevirapine (Correct Answer) — A non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) with a long half-life and high placental transfer, making a single dose to the newborn effective in blocking transmission. This is the standard drug specified under NACP guidelines for infants born to HIV-positive mothers.
- Ritonavir — A protease inhibitor, typically used as a pharmacokinetic booster in adult ART regimens; it has no role in newborn PMTCT prophylaxis.
Conclusion
As per the National AIDS Control Program's PPTCT guidelines, Nevirapine is administered to newborns of HIV-positive mothers to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, making it the correct answer.
Important Questions from National Child Health Programmes
Which of the following are correct regarding activities under the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) programme?
1. Administration of supervised weekly iron-folic acid supplements of 100 mg elemental iron and 500 $\mu$g folic acid
2. Administration of supervised weekly iron-folic acid supplements of 60 mg elemental iron and 0.5 mg folic acid
3. Biannual de-worming with albenzadole
4. Annual de-worming with albendazole
Select the answer using the code given below :
Under the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness, caretakers are advised to return immediately to a health facility, if
1. Any sick child is not able to drink or breast feed.
2. Fast breathing or difficult breathing, in a child who has no pneumonia
3. Blood in stool, in a child with diarrhoea
4. Conjunctivitis in a child with measles
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- Which one of the following statements is correct regarding the Government of India program 'Home-based care of the young child' ?
- Which one of the following is the correct schedule for home visits by an Accredited Social Health Activist for facility-born newborn babies?
The specific goals for 2025 under the integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhea (GAPPD) are all of the following EXCEPT:
