The controversies of nevirapine for preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission.

The efficacy of antiretroviral therapy to prevent motherto-child HIV transmission (MTCT) was first established in 1994. In that study by Connor and colleagues (PACTG 076) both mother and infant were treated with long courses of zidovudine, which reduced HIV transmission from 25 to 8% [1]. Since then, improved interventions in industrialized nations have further reduced MTCT rates to less than 2% through access to HAART, caesarian deliveries when indicated and formula feeding [2–4]. In developing nations, however, full access to HAART is not yet a reality and MTCT rates remain high [5]. An ideal method would be one that is convenient to administer, safe for both mother and infant, inexpensive and offering complete protection from transmission.