The mothers of untested children ≤18 years old were more likely t

The mothers of untested children ≤18 years old were more likely to be recently diagnosed with HIV infection compared with the overall clinic cohort of women with children. The reason for this is not clear. It may be that this group of women had less time to engage with health services to have their children tested, or had younger children with more recent and asymptomatic vertical infection. The most common

reason given for not testing was a perceived ‘unlikely risk’. This is similar to the experience of other UK centres [7,8]. Two hundred Birinapant research buy and forty-six untested children resident in the UK were identified through this study, all potentially at risk of vertically transmitted HIV infection, of whom only 49 were ≤18 years old. The mothers have been made aware that vertically acquired HIV infection can present late and can be potentially life threatening. A multidisciplinary team involving adult and paediatric HIV healthcare professionals has been set up to negotiate

and facilitate testing of the untested children ≤18 years old resident in the UK, within a timescale agreed with the parents. The safety of the children remains the priority and a clear threshold Fluorouracil has been set for referral to child-safeguarding services. Further qualitative studies are planned to explore the reasons behind mothers’ decision-making around child HIV testing, comparing those with tested and untested children. “
“In high-income countries, late presentation to care can impair reductions in morbidity and mortality risks, increase the risk of HIV transmission at the population level, and prevent Rebamipide patients from experiencing the full benefits of advances in HIV treatment. Most relevant studies do not distinguish between late HIV diagnosis and delayed entry into care. Factors associated with the latter should be characterized to improve HIV care interventions at individual and public health levels. Estimates of the time from ‘diagnosis to

care’ in the payable HIV care context vary considerably. Bamford et al. [1] reported a median time of 8 months in Philadelphia (2005–2006). Hospital in-patient/public clinic diagnosis, age >40 years and injecting drug use (IDU) were associated with delayed access [1]. Torian et al. reported that the first HIV care visits occurred >3 months after diagnosis for 19.1% of patients diagnosed in 2003 in New York City, while 17.2% of patients never initiated care. Factors associated with delayed access were diagnosis at centres without in situ care facilities, non-White race/ethnicity, IDU and non-USA birth [2]. Hamers and Phillips [3] estimated that 30% of HIV-infected individuals in Europe are undiagnosed. In France, HIV testing is routinely performed during pregnancy, following voluntary patient request, and for prisoners and patients with sexually transmitted infections or tuberculosis.

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