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AIDS and pediatric neurology
1School of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, SUNY, Stony Brook.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) affects children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Neurovirology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the cause of AIDS.
- HIV-1 selectively targets the immune and nervous systems.
- By 1991, 10,000-15,000 US children had symptomatic HIV-1 infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on HIV-1 central nervous system (CNS) involvement in children.
- To describe clinical, neuroradiologic, and neuropathologic features of pediatric HIV-1 CNS disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HIV-1 CNS manifestations in pediatric populations.
- Synthesis of clinical, imaging, and pathology data.
Main Results:
- HIV-1 infection leads to diverse clinical presentations in children.
- Neurologic complications are a significant aspect of symptomatic HIV-1 infection in this age group.
- Specific neuroradiologic and neuropathologic findings are associated with pediatric HIV-1 CNS disease.
Conclusions:
- Central nervous system involvement is a critical concern in pediatric HIV-1 infection.
- Understanding these features is essential for diagnosis and management.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate HIV-1's impact on the developing nervous system.
Abstract:
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the etiologic agent of AIDS, causes a wide spectrum of disease in children owing to its selective tropism for the immune system, nervous system, and perhaps other organs. By 1991, there may be as many as 10,000 to 15,000 children with symptomatic HIV-1 infection in the United States. This article reviews the current knowledge of the clinical, neuroradiologic, and neuropathologic features of HIV-1-related central nervous system involvement in infants and children with symptomatic HIV infection.