The diagnostic challenge of the child born "at risk" for HIV infection

Standard serologic tests for human immunodeficiency (HIV)-specific antibodies are difficult to interpret in young infants born "at risk" for HIV infection owing to transplacentally acquired maternal IgG. This article reviews the treatment advantages of early diagnosis of HIV infection, the indications for HIV testing in children, the general principles and use of individual HIV assays, and an idealized evaluation schedule for infants born "at risk" for HIV infection.