Update Author:

Peter L. Havens, MD; Lynne M. Mofenson, MD; and AAP Committee on Pediatric AIDS

The AAP clinical report “Evaluation and Management of the Infant Exposed to HIV-1 in the United States,” released in January 2009, explains the importance of the pediatrician in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 infection. To decrease the risk of acquiring HIV-1 infection, the pediatrician ensures that antiretroviral prophylaxis is provided to the infant born to women with HIV-1 infection. In addition, to avoid postnatal HIV-1 transmission, the pediatrician advises women infected with HIV-1 not to breastfeed.

The pediatrician should also perform HIV-1 antibody testing for infants born to women whose HIV-1 status was not determined during pregnancy or labor. For infants exposed to HIV-1, the pediatrician monitors the infant for early determination of HIV-1 infection status and for possible short- and long-term toxicity from antiretroviral exposures.

The entire AAP clinical report can be accessed at http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;123/1/175. This clinical report is a revision of the clinical report “Evaluation and Treatment of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1–Exposed Infant” posted in August 2004.