EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HIV DISEASE IN CHILDREN

The impact of HIV infection on the health of American children is incr easing, and minority children in certain urban areas are disproportion ately affected. Because almost 90% of cumulative pediatric AIDS cases and virtually all new pediatric HIV infections are attributable to per inatal transmission, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in children reflects that i n women of childbearing age. A promising new intervention to reduce pe rinatal HIV infection is now available, but how the intervention will be translated into routine clinical practice is still uncertain. To ma ximize the public health impact of prevention strategies, implementati on of the recommended interventions should be combined with early iden tification of HN infection among women of childbearing age.