The impact of HIV infection on the nervous system of children

At the end of 2007, 33.2 million people including 2.5 million children were living with HIV; > 85% of HIV-infected children were in Africa. At the end of 2006, 115 000 children were on HAART, a global coverage rate of 15% with sub-Saharan Africa having the lowest regional coverage. HIV affects the immature brain causing static or progressive encephalopathy (PE). PE is characterized by acquired microcephaly, failure to attain or loss of neurodevelopmental milestones, or loss of intellectual ability, and acquired symmetric motor defects. Isolated neurodevelopmental delays and peripheral nervous system disease occur as a direct consequence of HIV infection