By the end of 2009 there were 33.4 million people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with sub-Saharan Africa being the regions worst affected. (1) Anonymous seroprevalence studies of antenatal clinic attendees in South Africa reports an average national infection rate of 29-30% in this group. (2) Maternal HIV infection is a leading underlying cause of maternal and child morbidity and mortality in South Africa. (3,4) In the Metro West (former Peninsula Maternal and Neonatal Service) of Cape Town, maternal HIV infection is known to have contributed to a recent increase in maternal mortality rates. (5)
