HIV-infected children in Croatia--medical care versus ethical and social issues.
The era of pediatric HIV-infection in Croatia began in 1987 when the first child from an HIV-infected mother was born. The authors present some medical data of children diagnosed as HIV-infected or observed because of maternal HIV-infection in Croatia until the end of 2005. Although the number of HN-infected children in Croatia is still relatively small, in the last two decades the Croatian society was confronted with many ethical and social issues regarding HIV-infection and discrimination. There were many obstacles in providing proper care and integrating HIV-infected children in the Croatian society. Stigmatisation, fear and lack of knowledge were major contributors. For the first time, the integration of an HIV-infected child with revealed HIV-status into school was described. Changes in attitudes towards HIV-infected people can only be achieved through planned permanent educational programs.
Kniewald
Tihana
T
University Hospital for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljević, Zagreb, Croatia. tihana.kniewald@zg.htnet.hr
Tesović
Goran
G
Bilić
Vesna
V
D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001675:Bioethics / Q000639:trends*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000941:ethics*; D011287:Prejudice