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HIV infection in children: sizing up the paediatric problem
1Institute of Child Health, London.
Insights
Pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases are rising in the USA due to heterosexual transmission. An increase in HIV-positive women in the UK suggests a future rise in perinatal HIV infections, impacting pediatric services.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Rising cases of pediatric AIDS in the USA linked to heterosexual transmission.
- Geographic distribution of perinatal AIDS in the USA correlates with female HIV cases.
- Over 500 HIV-positive women reported in the UK.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in pediatric AIDS cases.
- To project the impact of increasing HIV in women on perinatal infections.
- To assess the future burden on pediatric services.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of reported pediatric AIDS cases in the USA.
- Correlation of geographic distribution of perinatal AIDS with female HIV cases.
- Monitoring of HIV-positive women in the UK.
Main Results:
- Increasing pediatric AIDS cases in the USA.
- HIV spread to the heterosexual community.
- Anticipated rise in perinatal HIV infections in the UK.
Conclusions:
- Increasing numbers of HIV-positive women will likely lead to more perinatal HIV infections.
- While blood transfusion infections are controlled, symptomatic transfusion-infected children will increase the demand on pediatric services.
Abstract:
Cases of paediatric AIDS have increased each year in the USA, as the disease has spread to the heterosexual community. In the USA the geographic distribution of perinatal AIDS cases mirrors the distribution of cases in women. To date, 503 HIV antibody positive women have been reported in the UK. It is likely that the increasing number of seropositive women will be reflected in an increase in the number of reports of perinatal HIV infection and AIDS. Although screening of blood donors and blood products has stopped further increase in infections from this route, as transfusion-infected children become symptomatic the burden on paediatric services will increase.