title: [Clinical and immunological characteristics of HIV-positive AIDS in children in Northern Israel].
abstract: We are treating 11 children in our AIDS clinic. All were infected by vertical transmission from carrier mothers. However, among 31 HIV-carrier AIDS patients who were under follow-up during pregnancy, supposedly taking zidovudine prophylaxis, only 1 (3.3%) gave birth to a baby infected with HIV. Our children with HIV and AIDS are 3 months to 12 years of age (average 4.5 years); mean age at diagnosis was 18 months. All are either symptomatic or have laboratory evidence of progressive immunodeficiency, 1 is asymptomatic (N2), 1 has mild symptoms (A2) and the rest present significant symptoms or AIDS-defining disease. All have moderate to severe immunodeficiency, as evidenced by CD4+ cells counts. 60% have rapidly progressive disease, based on their symptomatology and immune state, whereas clinical reports in the literature point to only 10-15%. However, the average CD4 + cell count was 22% (749/mm3) at diagnosis and 22% (759/mm3) at last follow-up. These stable findings during an average follow-up of 28 months probably reflect the effect of medical and supportive treatment. All received antiretroviral medication consisting of a combination of 2 or 3 drugs. 8 of 11 also received prophylactic treatment against opportunistic infections and 8 of 11 are clinically well. Routine follow-up and a good relationship with the patient's family increase cooperation and promote optimal medical treatment, and consequently improve the clinical condition and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Allergy and AIDS and Dept. of Pediatrics A, Rambam Medical Center and B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kedem
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Etzioni
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shahar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pollack
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D007557:Israel; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*