Conclusion
(Last updated:8/11/2011; last reviewed:11/1/2012)
The care of HIV-infected children is complex and evolving rapidly as results of new research are reported and new antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and newer classes of drugs are approved. Clinical trials to define appropriate drug dosing and toxicity in children ranging in age from infancy to adolescence are critical as new drugs become available. As additional ARV drugs become approved and optimal use of these drugs in children becomes better understood, the Panel will modify these guidelines. It should be noted that guidelines are only a starting point for medical decision making and are not meant to supersede the judgment of clinicians experienced in the care of HIV-infected children. Because of the complexity of caring for HIV-infected children, health care providers with limited experience in the care of these patients should consult with a pediatric HIV specialist.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) jointly developed and published guidelines for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections in HIV-exposed and -infected children; these guidelines are available at http://aidsinfo.nih.gov. 1 Similar guidelines for adults are also available at the same website.2