Clinical Aspects of Children With Hiv/Aids Acquired By Vertical Transmission: A Bibliographical Review

  • Larissa Bertolini Andreatta UENP
  • Glauco Najas Sammarco UNIMAR
Keywords: Clinical Aspects, Children, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Vertical Transmission.

Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV infection. HIV is a RNA virus in the host that is converted into DNA by reverse transcriptase enzymes. In 1981, AIDS was acknowledged and established itself as a concern worldwide. It has been estimated that in 2008 some 33.4 million people had HIV or AIDS, of which 2.1 million were children (UNAIDS). Current research, undertaken from May 2009 and May 2010, deals with a systematic review of the literature by a selection and analysis of scientific articles that investigated the clinical aspect of children with AIDS by vertical transmission. Human immunodeficiency virus transmission from mother to child mainly occurs during birth or during labor (60-65%) and determines a chronic and fatal infection. Vertically HIV-infected children have a more serious clinical evolution than that of children or adults infected by other methods. The physiological immaturity of fetal and neonatal immune systems at the moment of infection have an important role in the progression of HIV infection in children.

Author Biographies

Larissa Bertolini Andreatta, UENP
F
Glauco Najas Sammarco, UNIMAR
Discente do curso de Medicina pela Universidade de Marília – UNIMAR, Marília/SP
Published
2012-08-01
Section
Artigos de Revisão