Final answer:
The transmission of HIV during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, known as vertical transmission, is indeed true. It represents a significant risk of HIV infection for the infant, but this risk can be greatly reduced through the use of antiretroviral medications and other preventative measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transmission of HIV can occur during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. The correct answer to whether this statement is true or false is: a. True.
Mother-to-child transmission is the third most common way HIV is transmitted worldwide. This type of transmission is known as vertical transmission, which includes the transmission of the virus from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. If the mother is untreated and infected with HIV, there is a significant chance that the virus will be transmitted to the infant. Without any intervention, there is about a 15% chance that the virus will be transmitted through breast milk.
However, there are ways to reduce the rates of mother-to-child transmission. Providing antiretroviral medications to the mother during pregnancy and to the infant after birth can reduce transmission rates to about 1%. Additionally, delivering infants by cesarean section as opposed to vaginally and replacing breastfeeding with bottle feeding, where feasible, can mitigate some of the risks of HIV transmission during these stages.