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Published on: May 30, 2013

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in infants and children

A J Ammann

    Annals of Internal Medicine
    |November 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Diagnosing pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) involves assessing risk factors, distinct immune system changes like hypergammaglobulinemia, and confirming the AIDS retrovirus. Early infant diagnosis requires viral isolation to rule out passive antibody transfer.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Immunology
    • Virology

    Background:

    • Pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) presents unique diagnostic challenges.
    • Risk factors include maternal intravenous drug use, contaminated blood transfusions, and factor VIII therapy.
    • A specific immunologic profile, including polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and T-cell immunodeficiency, is characteristic of pediatric AIDS.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To outline the diagnostic criteria for pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
    • To differentiate pediatric AIDS from other immunodeficiency disorders.
    • To emphasize the importance of virologic confirmation in diagnosis.

    Main Methods:

    • Classification based on epidemiologic, immunologic, and virologic data.
    • Identification of individuals at risk for pediatric AIDS.
    • Exclusion of primary immunodeficiency diseases such as adenosine deaminase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency.

    Main Results:

    • Pediatric AIDS is characterized by a distinct immunologic phenotype: polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and T-cell immunodeficiency.
    • Detection of antibody to the AIDS retrovirus or viral isolation is crucial for diagnosis.
    • In early infancy, viral isolation is essential to overcome passive IgG transfer from the mother.

    Conclusions:

    • A diagnosis of pediatric AIDS is established by the presence of risk factors, characteristic immunologic abnormalities, and confirmation of the AIDS retrovirus.
    • Distinguishing pediatric AIDS from other immunodeficiencies is critical for appropriate management.
    • Virologic confirmation is paramount, especially in infants, to ensure accurate diagnosis.

    Keywords:
    Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAge FactorsAmericasAntibodiesBiologyDemographic FactorsDeveloped CountriesDeveloping CountriesDiseasesHematological EffectsHemic SystemHiv InfectionsImmunityImmunoglobulin AlterationsImmunologic FactorsImmunological EffectsInfantNorth AmericaNorthern AmericaPhysiologyPopulationPopulation At RiskPopulation CharacteristicsUnited StatesViral DiseasesYouth

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