Clinical Care of the Exposed Infants of HIV-Infected Mothers

Infants born to HIV-infected mothers are at risk for mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Since the beginning of the epidemic, medical advances have dramatically reduced transmission rates from the mother to the child. Clinical care of the HIV-exposed infant involves unique management considerations. Clinicians caring for these infants must be knowledgeable about postexposure antiretroviral prophylaxis, understand the HIV diagnostic testing necessary to determine the infant's HIV status, and be able to provide relevant anticipatory guidance. This article presents the pertinent management considerations needed for clinicians to provide optimal care to the HIV-exposed infant.