Pediatric HIV

Pediatric HIV infections were first reported in year 1983. Since then, the number of infected children with HIV has grown dramatically over the years in developing countries due to the increased number of HIV-infected women of childbearing age. As of 2015, 1.8 million children affected with HIV are below 15 years. Further, 400 children are getting affected every day. HIV can be transmitted sexually, vertically, through contaminated blood samples or drug abuses. Paediatric HIV infection can occur during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. Symptoms of pediatric HIV infection involve pneumonia, otitis media, fungal infections such as candidiasis, usually severe viral infections such as cytomegalovirus retinitis, growth failure, etc. Diagnosis of infants younger than 18 months requires virologic assays that directly detect HIV due to the persistence of maternal HIV antibody. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay also known as ELISA is used to detect HIV antibody in older children followed by a confirmatory Western blot. Rapid HIV tests, with sensitivity as high as 100 percent simplify and expand the availability of HIV tests by providing results within minutes. In addition to antiretroviral drugs, other types of medication are also sometimes required for specific infections. P jiroveci pneumonia prophylaxis is recommended in HIV infected patients younger than 1 year and in older children based on CD4 cell counts.

  • Pediatric HIV Infections and Symptoms
  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
  • Pediatric HIV Tests and Treatments

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