HIV infection in children. A new hope

A new understanding of the pathophysiology of HIV infection and recent advances in the development of antiretroviral medications have led to dramatic changes in the ways that children and adolescents are affected by their disease and has provided new hope that did not exist in earlier years of the epidemic. These advances and the changes they have produced, however, have posed new difficulties and challenges to ensuring that each infected child and adolescent benefits maximally. Although there will likely continue to be pauses in the pace of progress, the future holds real promise, and the third decade of the AIDS epidemic should see new developments that will continue to improve the lives of those infected with the virus.