Despite Great Strides, More is Needed in Pediatric AIDS Research
Laura Guay
When the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) was established in 1988, most AIDS research was focused on adults, not on the unique pathways of transmission to children or the distinct medical challenges facing HIV-positive children. Elizabeth’s tenacity in fighting for her own children helped ensure that all children were not forgotten as scientists tackled the mysteries of HIV and AIDS. Since then, the scientific and medical advancements in the fields of (PMTCT) and HIV care and treatment have been extraordinary. Scientifically, we know how to prevent transmission of HIV from mothers to their children. The UNAIDS 2010 report on the global AIDS epidemic reflects increased momentum toward the elimination of pediatric HIV and AIDS worldwide, and documents significant progress in increasing access to services to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, reducing new infections in children, and providing treatment for children (Figure 1a). Despite this success, there were still an estimated 370,000 new pediatric HIV infections in 2009 – more than 1,000 preventable infections every day.
Pediatric research remains essential to ensuring the survival and well-being of HIV positive children, and ultimately achieving the goal of eliminating pediatric HIV and AIDS. The pediatric AIDS research agenda encompasses critical basic science, clinical and operational research questions (Table 1). Many priority research questions are unique to infants, children and adolescents, hence it is vitally important that research resources be devoted specifically to this population.
