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Article: AZT Tests Seek to Stem Fetal AIDS
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 5, 1988
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Scientists plan to test the drug azidothymidine (AZT) in pregnant
women infected with the AIDS virus in the hope that it will reduce
the chance of infecting their unborn babies.
Administering such a powerful drug during pregnancy, risking
possible side effects in both mother and fetus, is an unprecedented
break with the medical tradition which holds that drugs are to be
avoided in pregnant women whenever possible. But AIDS researchers
said they believe it is justified by studies in pregnant mice that
suggest AZT may be able to protect the fetus from the virus or at
least moderate its effects.
The number of pregnant women carrying the AIDS virus has
increased as AIDS has spread among drug ...