Acquired immune deficiency syndrome in childhood.

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has been observed with increasing frequency in children with associated hemophilia, high-risk environmental backgrounds, and blood transfusions. AIDS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of childhood immunodeficiency, and it must be distinguished from congenital disorders. We emphasize the importance of epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory data in diagnosis and aggressive management of infectious complications. The relationship between human retrovirus infection and AIDS remains to be precisely defined, especially with regard to cofactors that may play a role in the development of severe immunodeficiency following exposure to the agent.