ABSTRACT

Introduction In the previous chapter we have seen that it is possible to prevent the vast majority of infants becoming infected with HIV as a result of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). However, the healthcare structures and resources needed for this are mostly unavailable in Africa, South and South East Asia, Eastern Europe and in many other low-income and middle-income regions of the world. Infants and young children born in countries in these regions will continue to be infected in large numbers during the foreseeable future. Although the numbers of infants becoming infected from MTCT is dramatically declining in most countries in the European Union (EU), North America and Australasia, a low prevalence of infected children will exist for many years to come. All of these HIV-infected infants and young children will require specialist multi-professional care and support throughout their lives.