Epidemiology of Pediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in the United States

HIV infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Providers of health care to children need to be aware of the problem and the characteristics of the most affected populations. Early diagnosis of HIV infection is critical for initiating appropriate antiviral therapy and prophylactic treatment for opportunistic infections. Attending to the myriad of social problems these families face is equally important for providing an optimal chance for prolonged survival and a reasonably high quality of life.