[AIDS in childhood].

Since its first report in 1981, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has attracted great interest among clinicians. Pediatric cases of AIDS were reported only two years later. Recently a review of the literature revealed about 300 pediatric patients with AIDS who are now tabulated separately by the Centers for Disease Control of Atlanta. The classification of the pediatric AIDS is based on epidemiologic, immunologic and virologic data. Subjects at risk include infants born to intravenous drug-addicted mothers and infants who have received blood transfusions or blood products. The diagnosis of pediatric AIDS may be established in a patient who has a polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia and T-cell immunodeficiency associated with antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or isolation of retrovirus.