Title: Increasing antiretroviral drug access for children with HIV infection.

POPLINE Document Number: 314839

Corporate Author(s):

Committee on Pediatric AIDS. Section on International Child Health

Source citation:

Pediatrics, 2007 Apr;119(4):838-845.

Abstract:

Although there have been great gains in the prevention of pediatric HIV infection and provision of antiretroviral therapy for children with HIV infection in resource-rich countries, many barriers remain to scaling up HIV prevention and treatment for children in resource-limited areas of the world. Appropriate testing technologies need to be made more widely available to identify HIV infection in infants. Training of practitioners in the skills required to care for children with HIV infection is required to increase the number of children receiving antiretroviral therapy. Lack of availability of appropriate antiretroviral drug formulations that are easily usable and inexpensive is a major impediment to optimal care for children with HIV. The time and energy spent trying to develop liquid antiretroviral formulations might be better used in the manufacture of smaller pill sizes or crushable tablets, which are easier to dispense, transport, store, and administer to children. (author's)

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Recommendations
Progress Report
Evaluation
Children
HIV Positive Persons
Antiretroviral Therapy
Program Accessibility
Delivery of Health Care
AIDS Prevention
HIV Testing
Appropriate Technology
Administration and Dosage
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Persons Living With HIV/AIDS
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
HIV
Program Evaluation
Programs
Organization and Administration
Health
AIDS
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Examinations and Diagnoses
Medical Procedures
Medicine
Health Services
Technology
Economic Factors
Drugs
Treatment