Guidelines

The 2008 British testing guidelines1 recommend that any infant, child or young person thought to be at significant risk of HIV infection, including all those with parents or siblings who are HIV-infected, should be tested. This is considered to be in the best interests of the child.

Those who should be considered for testing include:

  • Infants and children whatever their age, where the mother has HIV, or may have died of an HIV-associated condition.
  • Infants born to mothers known to have HIV in pregnancy.
  • Infants born to mothers who have refused an HIV test in pregnancy.
  • Infants and children who are presented for fostering/adoption where there is any risk of blood-borne infections.
  • Infants and children newly arrived in the UK from high-prevalence areas (including unaccompanied minors).
  • Infants and children with signs and symptoms consistent with an HIV diagnosis (a list of clinical indicator disease for paediatric HIV infection is provided).
  • Infants and children being screened for a congenital immunodeficiency.
  • Infants and children in circumstances of post-exposure prophylaxis.
  • Infants and children in cases where there has been sexual abuse.

References

  1. British HIV Association, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, Children’s HIV Association. Don’t forget the children: Guidance for the HIV testing of children with HIV-positive parents. Available at http://www.chiva.org.uk/health/conferences/previous/dontforget (accessed 29 April 2010), 2009
This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.