NURSING PERFORMANCE IN THE DETECTION AND PREVENTION OF VERTICAL TRANSMISSION OF HTLV IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the role of nursing in the detection and prevention of vertical transmission of HTLV in pregnant women, considering the relevance of this infection to public health. It is a narrative literature review, conducted through searches in the SciELO, Virtual Health Library (VHL), PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, including articles published between 2015 and 2025. Studies addressing vertical transmission of HTLV and the role of nursing were selected. The results showed that transmission occurs mainly through breastfeeding, and that early identification of the infection is essential for the adoption of preventive measures. It was also observed that nursing plays a fundamental role in screening, health education, and in prenatal and postpartum follow-up. It is concluded that qualified nursing practice significantly contributes to the reduction of vertical transmission of HTLV, highlighting the need to expand new screening strategies and professional training.