ACQUIRED immunodeficiency syndrome in pregnancy: A report of three maternal deaths

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has become a major public health problem in the United States. Current projections, based on seroepidemiologic data, suggest a large increase in the number of cases over the next several years. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is the most common opportunistic infection associated with AIDS and an increase in the frequency of that illness also can be anticipated. Few cases of P carinii pneumonia associated with AIDS during pregnancy have been reported. Reported here are three such patients. All patients had been intravenous drug users and all died during the hospitalization in which the diagnosis was made. The diagnosis and management of P carinii pneumonia associated with AIDS are discussed.