INTRODUCTION:
Late human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis is an important cause of HIV-related morbidity and mortality in infants and children.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected children diagnosed in Sergipe, in northeastern Brazil, between 2002 and 2011 aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for late HIV diagnosis.
RESULTS:
Of 55 infants and children with confirmed infection, 42 (76.5%) were diagnosed at ≥ 12 months old. No antiretroviral prophylaxis during delivery (OR 5.48, 95% CI 1.11-32.34) was associated with late diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS:
More than 75% of cases were diagnosed late. Efforts are needed to improve early HIV diagnosis in infants.
Infant diagnosis; Vertical transmission; Polymerase chain reaction
