All babies born to HIV-positive mothers will be tested to ascertain whether the virus has been transmitted. Initial testing is usually undertaken when the child is 48 hours old. Those that test negative will be tested again at 14 days when the test that detects HIV DNA will identify approximately 90% of infected children.
If at 14 days the child still tests negative, the test will be repeated at 4-8 weeks and then 16-26 weeks of age.
If the child receives two negative tests when they are over 6 months of age, then it can be confirmed that the virus has not been transmitted.
