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Large reductions in transmission of HIV-1 from mother to child have been achieved in more-developed countries due to the use of antiretrovirals. Short-course regimens, suitable for resource-poor countries, have also been shown to significantly reduce peripartum HIV-1 transmission. We assessed the efficacy of short-course regimens with zidovudine and lamivudine in a predominantly breastfeeding population.

We did a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in South Africa, Uganda, and Tanzania. Between June, 1996, and January, 2000, HIV-1-infected mothers were randomised to one of four regimens: A, zidovudine plus lamivudine starting at 36 weeks' gestation, followed by oral intrapartum dosing and by 7 days' postpartum dosing of mothers and infants; B, as regimen A, but without the prepartum component; C, intrapartum zidovudine and lamivudine only; or placebo …