Diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection in children

Abstract

Since the availability of specific virologic assays for the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection, the diagnosis of neonatal infection is more specific and confirmed at an earlier age. An early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection has important implications for the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Whereas the diagnosis of this infection is primarily antibody-based prior to 18 months of age, the diagnosis at less than 18 months is virologically based.