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Are we forgetting the children? Testing the children of HIV-positive parents
C A Whitfield1, M Kingston, H Fothergill
1Manchester Centre for Sexual Health, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
Insights
Testing children of HIV-positive parents is crucial. This audit found gaps in identifying parental status, especially in men who have sex with men (MSM), leading to improved HIV testing protocols for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Undiagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in children poses significant health risks.
- National guidelines recommend Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing for children born to HIV-positive parents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the process of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing for children of HIV-positive patients within a new service.
- To identify gaps in documenting parental status and subsequent testing of children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective audit of HIV-positive patients (new to the service, April 2008-December 2009).
- Data collection on parental status identification and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing for children.
- Analysis of testing practices across different patient demographics, including women and men of various sexual orientations.
Main Results:
- Of 86 women, 95% were asked about children.
- Parental status determination was less common in men, particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM) (17% of those with previous female partners).
- Most untested children resided outside the country of service provision.
Conclusions:
- Routine documentation of parental status for all patients, regardless of sexual orientation, is essential.
- Clinic proformas were updated to ensure recording of parental status and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status for all children.
- Improved protocols aim to enhance early detection and management of pediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
Abstract:
Undiagnosed HIV infection in children carries significant risks and national guidelines recommend that children of HIV-positive parents be tested. We reviewed the testing of HIV-positive patients' children in those new to our service from April 2008 to December 2009. Of the 86 women, 95% were asked about children. Of the 243 men, 53 were heterosexual or bisexual, and 190 identified themselves as men who have sex with men (MSM). Parental status was determined in 37 (70%) of heterosexual and bisexual men and in 14 (17%) of 84 MSM with a history of previous female partners. All untested children apart from one lived in their country of origin. In MSM, recording of parental status was uncommon. Following this audit, clinic proformas were changed to document the parental status of men of all sexual orientations, and the HIV status of all children.
