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AIDS among children--United States, 1996
Insights
Perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission to children has decreased significantly due to zidovudine (ZDV) therapy. Public Health Service recommendations have further reduced pediatric AIDS cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases in children under 13 represented 1% of the total reported cases by September 1996.
- Most pediatric AIDS cases resulted from perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
- An estimated 1000-2000 children were infected annually with HIV during 1988-1993.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the epidemiology of pediatric AIDS in the U.S. from 1982 to September 1996.
- To present pediatric AIDS rates for 1995.
- To describe the recent decrease in perinatally acquired pediatric AIDS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cumulative AIDS case reports submitted to the CDC through September 1996.
- Inclusion of 1995 pediatric AIDS rates using census estimates.
- Review of clinical trial data and Public Health Service recommendations regarding zidovudine (ZDV) therapy.
Main Results:
- Clinical trials in 1994 showed ZDV therapy reduced perinatal HIV transmission by two-thirds.
- Public Health Service recommendations in 1994 and 1995 promoted ZDV treatment and HIV testing for pregnant women.
- A recent decrease in the rate of perinatally acquired AIDS in children was observed.
Conclusions:
- Zidovudine (ZDV) therapy has proven effective in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission.
- Public health initiatives have contributed to a decline in pediatric AIDS rates.
- Continued vigilance and adherence to prevention guidelines are crucial for further reducing pediatric HIV/AIDS.
Abstract:
As of September 30, 1996, a total of 566,002 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases, including 7472 cases among children ages < 13 years (1%), had been reported to CDC by state and territorial health departments. Most children reported with AIDS acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection perinatally from their mothers. During 1988-1993, an estimated 6000-7000 children were born each year to HIV-infected women; an estimated 1000-2000 of these children were infected annually. In 1994, results of clinical trials demonstrating effective therapy for reducing perinatal HIV transmission indicated a two-thirds decrease in such transmission associated with zidovudine (ZDV) therapy for HIV-infected pregnant women and their newborns. The Public Health Service (PHS) issued recommendations in 1994 for ZDV treatment to reduce perinatal HIV transmission, and in 1995 for routine HIV counseling and voluntary testing for all pregnant women in the United States. This report summarizes the epidemiology of AIDS in children in the United States reported cumulatively from 1982 through September 1996, presents rates for 1995 (the most recent year for which census estimates are available), and describes a recent decrease in the rate of perinatally acquired AIDS.