What's New in Infant Diagnosis

Mortality in the first year of life is very high among untreated infants infected with HIV, therefore early infant diagnosis (EID), prompt return of results and rapid initiation of treatment are essential.

In 2014, only 50% of all HIV-exposed infants were tested by the second month of age.

Innovative approaches such as use of assays at the point-of care and adding virological testing at birth could speed up identification and ART initiation. Operational research to fully inform how to implement such innovations remains critical.