Medicine is required for HIV-infected children

The International AIDS Association calls for the development of drug-resistant antimicrobial drugs specifically for children, to both improve the effectiveness of treatment, and to avoid dangerous side effects caused by adult drugs.

On July 25, at the closing session of the international conference on HIV / AIDS held in Sydney, Australia, Dr. Pedro Cahn, President of the International AIDS Association, said: 'We must act more. In order to protect the future of the world, we must find the best ways to treat the smallest members of our society . '.

Only 15% of HIV-infected children are treated

According to estimates, the world currently has about 2.3 million children infected with HIV, and every year there are 600,000 new infections. If left untreated, about half of these children will die before they know their 2nd birthday.

Currently only 15% of children infected with HIV meet the need for treatment with anti-microbial drugs.(Photo: Chinaontv)

But the most pressing international public opinion is that only 15% of HIV-infected children meet the need to treat drug-resistant antimicrobial drugs.

Dr. Annette Sohn, of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of California, in San Francisco, USA, said: 'The goal of treating HIV / AIDS in children must be balanced between preventing infection. HIV and the long-term consequences of antimicrobial resistance in children '.

According to Dr. Sohn, HIV-infected children who are treated with drug-resistant antimicrobials are now at risk for cognitive impairment, bone density reduction and brain disease - specifically edema and Brain cells are gradually damaged over time.

Although HIV-infected children who are treated early will increase their survival rate, Ms. Sohn thinks it is also difficult because the HIV virus quickly creates resistance.

A special medicine recipe for children is required

Children who are fortunate to receive HIV treatment are often given drug-resistant antimicrobials prepared for adults. This drug is cut into small portions for use in children so it is difficult to ensure the correct dose and therefore, can lead to treatment failure.

For that reason, Dr. Sohn said that it is necessary to have drug-resistant anti-microbial drugs exclusively for children and that drugs must be transported, preserved and used at a low cost.

She said: 'Currently, most countries in the world have to dispense medicine for adults to use small doses for children. That will lead to the risk of taking an insufficient or overdose medication '.

She emphasized: 'It is necessary to have a formula for children. Children need different drugs to be able to use a combination of 2 or 3 types at the same time. '

The three-day conference - with the participation of about 5,000 delegates from more than 130 countries around the world - has issued a statement saying Sydney calls on governments to spend 10% of their budget to invest in research and HIV / AIDS treatment, to ensure that the poorest people in the world still receive treatment when they are unfortunately infected with HIV.

Quang Thinh