Epidemiology and Natural History of HIV Infection in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women, Infants, Children, and Adolescents
As potent therapy for HIV infection has become available, HIV infection has become a more of a chronic disease than a terminal condition in children. Research supported by the Branch includes evaluation of the impact of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy on growth, sexual maturation, metabolism, and neurodevelopment, and neurologic function of infected children. Based on the current state of HIV/AIDS research, additional topics within this area of emphasis may include:
- Research to identify and evaluate gender-specific manifestations of HIV, including gender differences in immunologic and virologic parameters of HIV disease, and the gender-specific clinical manifestations of infection with HIV (e.g., cervical cancer)
- Research to evaluate the long-term effects of therapy, such as lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, and disorders of bone metabolism, in children, for whom life-long therapy will be required
- Long-term follow-up of uninfected children who are perinatally exposed to antiretroviral drugs (as antiretroviral treatment and prophylaxis during pregnancy become increasingly complex) to evaluate for delayed adverse consequences of such exposure
=
