Division of HIV and STD Programs

To all providers diagnosing HIV during pregnancy, or pregnancy for a person with HIV, please ensure an active, warm hand-off to a perinatal HIV specialty provider site or contact the DHSP Linkage and Reengagement Program Warmline (213) 639-4288 for assistance.

In 2020, a total of four cases of perinatal HIV transmission were reported in Los Angeles County (LAC), which is substantially higher than the average 0.9 cases per year observed in the prior 10-year period. A common feature was that the pregnant persons received late or no prenatal care; for birthing hospitals and prenatal care providers, the management of these patients to reduce HIV transmission to the infant is both complex and time sensitive. DHSP has developed the following clinical guidance documents on expected practices and resources needed to support all pregnancies impacted by HIV:

• Caring for Pregnant People With HIV Checklist: A checklist for delivery hospitals to ensure they are prepared for and implementing standard-of-care services for pregnant people with HIV and their newborns. - April 2023



• Perinatal HIV Specialty Centers Guide: A listing of local programs with HIV expertise and coordination of care across OB, ID, and pediatric departments. - Updated July 2024



• Routine Prenatal HIV and STD Testing: Detailed guidance on universal screening, test types and referral resources. - April 2023



• LAC STD Screening and Treatment Recommendations: Updated tables representing the latest federal, state and local guidance.



• HIV Management for Patients in Labor: Expected practice guidance for delivery hospitals with patients with unknown HIV status, limited prenatal care, reporting a history of HIV infection but not in care. - April 2023



• Postpartum Discharge Planning Checklist: Guidance for discharge planning, including key DHSP resources. - April 2023



• About Perinatal HIV Specialty Center Requirements: A description of the program standards for perinatal HIV specialty care. - April 2023