Testing the children of HIV-positive mothers

We aimed to establish current practice regarding the testing of children of HIV-positive women in two centres in the South Yorkshire HIV Network, UK. Notes were reviewed from 59 women who attended clinic over a three-month period from 01 September 2009 to 30 November 2009. In our sample, only 29 of 52 (56%) children living in the UK who required testing had been HIV tested. Testing rates were high in preschool children (15/15) and fell with age to 2/11 (18%) in the 16-20 years age group. Uptake of testing for children of HIV-positive parents could potentially be improved if testing was incorporated into routine clinic practice as part of the package of care offered to a newly diagnosed individual.