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Treatment of pediatric HIV infection

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Abstract

HIV-infected children require a peculiar management when compared to infected adults. Antiretroviral therapy has been quite well adapted to children, but new studies are needed to answer many unsolved questions, such as when to start therapy in asymptomatic infected children. Recently, several guidelines have been updated. In this review, we compare these recommendations together with the latest studies concerning the treatment of HIV in children. A triple-drug combination therapy based either on nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or protease inhibitors is the recommended initial therapy. After treatment failure, a second-line therapy should be based on switching between these two regimens. Antiretroviral therapy should be managed by an expert in pediatric and adolescent HIV infection. The importance of children’s adherence to therapy is a crucial point, particularly in adolescents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126, Turin, Italy

    Pier-Angelo Tovo

Authors
  1. Elisa Antonielli d’Oulx
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  2. Elena Chiappini
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  3. Maurizio de Martino
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  4. Pier-Angelo Tovo
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Correspondence to Pier-Angelo Tovo.

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d’Oulx, E.A., Chiappini, E., de Martino, M. et al. Treatment of pediatric HIV infection. Curr Infect Dis Rep 9, 425–433 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-007-0065-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-007-0065-5

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