About 370,000 infants are born with HIV each year.
Kolker called the significant drop-off between the two rates of expectant mothers and infants receiving ARV treatment "disturbing", attributed in part to mothers who give birth at home, without access to a health clinic. There is also the stigma factor, as some women fear exposing their children to judgment.
"The number of infants who are exposed to HIV from positive mothers and come back for testing within the first 12 weeks of life is very low. Not thinking that PMTCT ends at birth is a very important element," said Kolker.
The figure for under-15s shows more improvement, with a rise from 22 percent of children in low- and middle-income countries receiving ARV therapy in 2008 to 28 percent in 2009.
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