For Providers

We are happy to take any referrals for obstetric care, infectious disease care, or both. We can also partner with you to provide the tools and protocols needed to care for your patient at your hospital.

Infants and pediatric care

  • Infants: Our pediatric infectious disease providers would like to see any exposed infants soon after delivery in conjunction with the pediatrician.
  • Coordination: Our perinatal HIV nurse coordinator, Cynthia Maxey-Brown, cares for patients in the Project ARK area, including parts of Southeastern Missouri. She coordinates with outside hospitals to ensure appropriate care and prevention of perinatal HIV transmission.
Referral information

Below are the phone numbers you can use to refer your patient to care or get the resources you need:

Outpatient referrals

Call 314-747-HIVP (4487) for non-urgent referrals for care of HIV-positive pregnant patients with Infectious Disease or Obstetrics. Expect a call back within 24 hours.

Urgent transfer or referrals for pregnant women or infants

Call 800-678-HELP (4357) for urgent transfer or consultation for HIV-exposed or HIV-infected newborns or children.

Obstetric prenatal care referrals

Pediatric infectious disease

Infants whose mothers are HIV infected are seen by pediatric infectious disease specialists at St. Louis Children’s Hospital for approximately 4-6 months after birth. If HIV is negative after 4 months, it can be confirmed that the baby did not become HIV infected at the time of delivery. Newborns will continue to see a general pediatrician for regular baby care and the pediatric infectious disease specialists will communicate with the pediatrician.

HIV testing schedule

  • HIV DNA PCR
    • Within 48 hours of birth
    • At 2 to 3 weeks of age
    • At 4 to 6 weeks of age
    • At 4 to 6 months of age

Exclusion of pediatric HIV infection

Two negative HIV NAT results during the time period below definitively excludes pediatric HIV infection in HIV-exposed infants:

  • One negative result obtained > 4 weeks of age
  • One negative result obtained > 4 months of age

Resources

WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital doctors and nurse practitioners provide prenatal care at two sites. If patients have medical conditions other than HIV, they may need to see one of our maternal-fetal medicine (high risk obstetrics) doctors. When calling for an appointment, schedulers will take the patient’s health information and insurance information to ensure they are directed to the best place for prenatal care.

It is best for patients to call for an appointment soon after discovering pregnancy to evaluate mother and baby early.

Obstetric prenatal care