Observational cohort study of HIV-infected African children

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Most information about children living with HIV is based on follow up from children identified through mother-to-child transmission studies. Children identified through voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) represent a unique cohort that has not been previously described in the literature. METHODS: Children who were found to have HIV infection through VCT were offered enrollment in this study. They were evaluated monthly and encouraged to return to the clinic any time they were ill. Thorough evaluation was performed for every illness. RESULTS: Forty-five children were enrolled in the study. Many of the participants (33%) had a serious acute disease at the time of enrollment. The..