Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
05:53

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Published on: July 6, 2013

HIV in the neonate

J Gray1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Ladywood, UK.

The Journal of Hospital Infection
|January 9, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Preventing mother-to-infant transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is crucial. Advances in antiretroviral therapy and diagnostics offer hope for reducing pediatric HIV infections and improving infant outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mother-to-infant transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) poses a significant global health challenge, with infected infants often experiencing poor prognoses and rapid disease progression.
  • Approximately 7-40% of infants born to HIV-positive mothers acquire the infection, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current advances in the diagnosis and therapy of pediatric HIV infection.
  • To discuss strategies for reducing mother-to-infant HIV transmission and improving outcomes for infected infants.
  • To identify the need for further research, including large randomized controlled trials, to establish optimal management protocols.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current diagnostic tools, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and p24 antigen assays, for early detection of neonatal HIV infection.
  • Analysis of the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and the neonatal period on reducing vertical HIV transmission.
  • Discussion of peripartum transmission risks and potential interventions.

Main Results:

  • Antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of mother-to-infant HIV transmission.
  • Early diagnosis through PCR and p24 antigen assays enables timely supportive and antiretroviral treatment for neonates.
  • Zidovudine is established in pediatric HIV treatment, with combination antiretroviral therapy anticipated for the future.

Conclusions:

  • Advances in diagnostics and antiretroviral therapy offer promising opportunities to reduce vertical HIV transmission and improve the outlook for infected infants.
  • Optimal management of pregnancy in HIV-infected women requires further research and consensus, emphasizing the need for randomized controlled trials.
  • Despite therapeutic advances, access to care remains a critical barrier, particularly in low-resource countries, tempering optimism for widespread improvements in pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) outcomes.

More Related Videos

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets08:12

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets

Published on: September 6, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...