Pediatrics. 1992 Nov;90(5):688-91. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
Thirty-two (18%) of 181 children cared for at our institution who were
infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were first
seen, and HIV was diagnosed, when they were 4 years of age and older.
Initial complaints or diagnoses for these children included the
following: hematologic disorders (5) (3 idiopathic thrombocytopenic
purpura, 1 neutropenia, 1 anemia); recurrent bacterial infections (10);
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (3); developmental delay (1); skin
disorders (2) (1 genital wart, 1 chronic zoster); weight loss (3);
malignancy (1); and nephropathy (1). Eight children were referred for
evaluation because of maternal HIV-1 infection. The risk factors for
HIV-1 infection included maternal/perinatal exposure (22), perinatal
blood transfusion (6), blood transfusion during infancy (2), and sexual
abuse (2). Ten (31%) of the 32 children have subsequently died. The
longest survival from perinatal infection was 12 years. HIV-1 infection
in children can result in a prolonged clinical latency and can
masquerade as other pathologic conditions. The absence of clinical
symptoms in older children at risk for HIV-1 infection should not deter
HIV testing.
Child Child, Preschool Female Human HIV
Infections/*DIAGNOSIS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY *HIV-1 Male
Survival Analysis JOURNAL ARTICLE