It will be useful to learn something about how rapidly the virus changes. It would give us a sense of when an intervention might still be worthwhile. You would want to provide therapy before the virus becomes very virulent. Dr. Andiman directs the pediatric AIDS program at Yale-New Haven Hospital and is studying the virus to find ways to prevent and treat infection. His research led him to participate in an international study evaluating Caesarean section as a means of protecting newborns from infection.
Many infections occur during passage through the birth canal.
A current laboratory-based study explores how biological characteristics of the virus affect clinical outcomes. These kids are followed primarily to provide clinical care. At the same time we have very careful observation of the history of the disease. Children with AIDS suffer learning disabilities, problems with motor functions and cognitive skills, cognitive retardation, fungal infections of the esophagus and various viral and bacterial infections. The problem becomes one of managing the disease, far more difficult in children than adults.