Management of HIV serodiscordant couples. The clinician point of view.

Background: Couples where the male partner is HIV-infected but the female partner is not often express a desire for children. Assisted reproduction techniques (ART) with sperm "wash" can reduce the risk of acquisition of infection for the woman. The information about the characteristics of such couples coming to these clinics for advice and support is scant.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of a cohort of HIV-discordant couples seeking reproductive assistance in a referral clinic in Barcelona, Spain.

Methods: Demographic, social and HIV related information were collected prospectively according to a standard protocol. Blood tests, a full evaluation for STDs and sperm analysis were performed.

Results: Between April 1994 and February 1999, 140 couples contacted the clinic for reproductive advice, 100 couples were fully assessed and were offered reproductive assistance. The vast majority were white, with a history of injecting drug use. Nearly half of the men had been diagnosed during their present relationship. STDs were uncommon and abnormalities among sperm analysis were frequent.

Conclusion: An increasing number of HIIV infected individuals desire to have children. With the introduction of HAART and the safety of sperm wash in such cases, the need to have children is more frequently expressed. These couples are in general healthy and accept to be included in an ART program.