CHILDREN AND HIV INFECTION

Key words: HIV, Children, Adolescent

Drug therapy during pregnancy has dramatically reduced the vertical tramission of HIV infection. Moreover, the life expectancy of the infected newborn is now significantly longer than in the past because of the more aggressive therapeutic approach. On the base of a large personal experience, the authors discuss the psyco-social problems of children and adolescents affected by HIV infection and recommend a prompt and intensive psycotherapeutic support.