Current status of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection in Japan

There are currently very few English reports about Japanese pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, we introduce our experience with pediatric HIV in a single hospital, and review the present status of HIV infections in children in Japan. In Japan, the main infection routes of HIV include sexual activity, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), blood or blood product transfusion, and drug use. Most pediatric HIV patients have been infected by MTCT in recent years. One survey showed that in Japan, 52 babies were infected by MTCT between 1984 and 2011. Only 2 cases of pediatric HIV infection have been reported since 2010. The MTCT rate has decreased to 0.5% owing to several preventive interventions. In addition, the HIV antibody test is now performed in more than 98.3% of pregnant women in Japan. (C) 2014, Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.