AZT treatment can cost $8,000 per year and the price of alpha-interferon therapy can range from $9,000 annually to several times that.
The new study offers impetus for more aggressive testing programs for pregnant women because of the benefits of the AZT treatment.
Many patients have inadequate medical insurance and Government financing for AZT treatment is limited.
AZT treatment currently costs about $3,000 a year.
The few cells that escape are prevented from passing on the virus by the AZT treatment.
Severe symptoms of AZT treatment included prolonged nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
After delivery, the babies will be carefully monitored for 18 months to determine if the AZT treatment affected their development.
The price of a year of AZT treatment was about $8,000 then; it is now about $2,700.
Richard has gone off AZT treatment to take part in an experimental out-patient-treatment program at Bishopgate Hospital.
A year after the introduction of AZT treatment, the risk had dropped to 8 percent, Dr. Mofenson said.