The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that nearly one in 100 children in the city has more reason than most to appreciate their mothers tomorrow.
They are now free fromHIV, following a joint venture by the HPA and the National Blood Service.
These infants were fortunate enough to have mothers, who agreed to be tested for the virus through a city-wide antenatal screening process.
Since the programme began in 2001, more than 65,000 women have been tested for the condition. Of those, nearly 100 (0.15 percent) were HIV positive. Diagnosing HIV early in pregnancy allows for 12 weeks of treatment to minimise the risk of passing it on to an unborn baby.
If a mother-to-be is tested positive, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) will monitor their response - and the baby's - to treatment. The agency will continue to observe the child's health for its first 18months, only after this time can they be sure they are not infected with HIV.
Without effective screening to control the virus, one in 54 of the babies would contract HIV, but with treatment only one in 100 are affected.
Dr Liz Boxall, consultant clinical scientist with the HPA and National Blood Service, said: 'Midwives from all Birmingham'smaternity units and local health advisers have done a fantastic job helping mothers decide on whether to take up the offer of screening.
'We are delighted at the take up levels in the city, which are as high as 95 per cent.
'This means in Birmingham mother-to-baby transmission of HIV will be a rare thing in the future
