HIV NEPHROPATHY IN CHILDREN

The evaluation and management of children with HIV nephropathy provide a great challenge to the pediatric nephrologist caring for patients w ith this tragic illness, of which the nephropathy is only part of thei r problem and extends beyond the patient to the family and all of the supportive team involved. Care decisions should be based on a multi-di sciplinary approach in which the infectious disease component is inclu ded. There are many areas that require a better understanding, particu larly the pathogenesis of HIV nephropathy and the approach to treatmen t of the nephropathy with specific drugs. Early identification of chil dren affected with this condition and an aggressive approach to manage ment seem essential to the improvement of the outcome of these patient s.