antenatal screening programme

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HTLV

The UK NSC is consulting on whether to change its recommendation on this condition and is accepting public comments.

Closing date: 13th May 2026.

Scheduled UK NSC meeting date: June 2026.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV1) is a sexually transmitted retrovirus (like HIV) which affects the immune system.

Most people with this incurable lifelong infection have no symptoms but it can cause severe diseases.

UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in November 2022.

Screening is not currently recommended for this condition.

The UK NSC has not recommended population screening for HTLV infections in pregnancy because there is not enough evidence to show screening would do more good than harm.

This is primarily because a UK analysis (Human T cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus infection in pregnant women in the United Kingdom: population study) highlighted concern about the potentially negative effect of maternal HTLV diagnosis on quality of life. This was considered critical when balanced against the potentially limited ability of screening to prevent adverse health outcomes associated with mother to child transmission of the infection.

After reviewing the evidence for population screening for HTLV in pregnancy on 4 occasions, the UK NSC did not find enough published information to support a recommendation for screening. The UK NSC recommended not to do another routine evidence review of population screening for HTLV and to archive this recommendation.

Supporting documents from the 2023 review

Evidence map
This document investigates whether a more detailed review can be conducted based on the available evidence.

Coversheet
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.

Review cycle

Date previous review completed: 2023

Next review estimated to be completed: 2026 to 2027.

To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.

Organisations interested in HTLV

These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.

List of organisations

• British Society for Immunology
• National Centre for Human Retrovirology
• Royal College of General Practitioners
• Royal College of Midwives
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Royal College of Physicians
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
• Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.