Contextualising the paediatric HIV epidemic: a review.
OBJECTIVE
To draw attention to the sub-optimal care that HIV-infected children are receiving in Africa.


METHODS
Relevant published literature.


RESULTS
Sub-optimal response to paediatric HIV infection has aggravated the negative impact that the epidemic has had on child health in Africa. Recently the African Network for the Care of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS (ANNECA) released an advocacy statement that called for the optimisation of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for children affected by the AIDS pandemic. Effective prevention strategies if comprehensively implemented, could prevent more than 500 000 paediatric infections per annum at current antenatal HIV prevalence rates. Improved care that includes universal utilisation of early diagnostic testing systems, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, nutritional support and the timely introduction of antiretroviral therapy could improve the quality of life and lifespan of most infected children.


CONCLUSIONS
Political leaders, public health officials and fellow child health professionals are urged to redouble their efforts to reverse the magnitude of the paediatric epidemic in Africa.
Red Cross Children's Hospital, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town, South Africa.
B S
BS
Eley
D
D
Tindyebwa
J
J
Kayita
M P
MP
Kieffer
R
R
Nduati
C
C
Mwansambo
P
P
Musoke
N
N
Ntumwesigye
C
C
Kinkasa
D
D
Mbori-Ngacha
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D016019:Survival Analysis
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents