Psychological aspects of care of HIV-infected children.

Health professionals, particularly pediatricians, must consider the psychological, familial, social, and cultural aspects of HIV infection and the characteristics of the disease, which generate complex problems for pediatric patients and their families. A discussion of these problems at each stage of the disease in the child and his or her parents is provided. The main data from the literature on the cognitive and emotional development of HIV-infected patients and on their adjustment in social situations and at school are reviewed. The appropriateness of disclosing the diagnosis to the child or to nonfamily members should be evaluated according to the development of the child and to the familial setting.