HIV disease in children

PREVIEW

When it occurs in children, HIV disease has many unique features. For example, there is no specific CD4+ T-lymphocyte count that defines the condition, as there is in patients over age 13. A positive HIV antibody test is not diagnostic of HIV infection in infants, because virtually all babies born to HIV-positive mothers have positive results at first. Because children do not yet have protective antibodies against common bacteria, they are far more prone to severe recurrent infections than are adults. Young children require substantially more medication per body weight and have greater caloric and micronutrient requirements than do adults. In this article, Dr Church clarifies all of these aspects of pediatric HIV disease, and more.