Updated Pediatric Treatment Guidelines Now Available!

AIDSinfo is proud to announce that the latest update to the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection has been released. The new version includes updated information on:

• When to initiate therapy, including
  - Change in treatment recommendations for when to initiate therapy in HIV-infected children <12 months of age
  - Reduction from 4 to 3 age bands for recommendations on when to initiate therapy (<12 months, 1 to <5 years, and 5 years and older) 
  - Changes in immunologic thresholds for when to start in children 1 year or older
• Timing of diagnostic testing in HIV-exposed infants 
• The pediatric drug appendix and hyperlink on drug preparations, new dosage formulations, and pediatric studies 
• Recently approved antiretrovirals: maraviroc (including a new coreceptor tropism assay section), raltegravir, and etravirine
• Revised antiretroviral toxicity hyperlink with new tables detailing toxicity management

The changes are highlighted in yellow throughout the text and tables. The updated guidelines are available for download from the Pediatric Guidelines section of the AIDSinfo Web site. You can also request to receive them by mail or email from the AIDSinfo Order Publications section.

---

Your Feedback Is Important!

The Pediatric Antiretroviral Guidelines Working Group would like to hear your feedback on the latest revisions to the Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection. Please send your comments with the subject line "Pediatric Comments" to AIDSinfoWebmaster@aidsinfo.nih.gov by March 13, 2008.

---

Growth Hormone Stimulates New T-Cell Production in HIV-Positive Adults

In a recent study, researchers found that the thymus gland can be stimulated with growth hormone (GH) to produce new T-cells in HIV-infected adults. As age increases in healthy individuals, the number of T-cells produced by the thymus decreases. For HIV-infected adults, this natural decrease, combined with the effects of the virus, reduces their ability to rebuild their immune systems after being infected with HIV.

Researchers recently discovered that the use of GH boosts thymus function in adults by doubling the number of newly made T-cells. This finding has potential for future immunotherapy, but more research is needed to determine health benefits for HIV-infected individuals.

More information is available:

• MedlinePlus: Full Story 
• PubMed: Study Abstract

---