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In 2009, an estimated 400 000 children were newly infected with HIV, with 90% of infections occurring in children in sub-Saharan Africa through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Without any intervention, the risk of MTCT ranges from 20% to 45%; without any treatment, half of the babies will die before their second birthday. About 42 000 to 60 000 of pregnant women die from HIV. In contrast, in high-income countries, the number of new infections among children as well as the number of maternal and child deaths due to HIV are virtually zero.

It is possible to stop new HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive if pregnant women living with HIV and their children have timely access to quality lifesaving antiretroviral drugs for their own health, as indicated, or as prophylaxis to stop HIV transmission during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. When antiretroviral drugs are available as prophylaxis, mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be reduced to less than 5%. There is an urgent call for action by global and regional bodies as well as governments for the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015; this includes keeping mothers alive as well as sustaining children who are living with HIV.