[Multicenter study of long-term management of HIV exposed and HIV infected children. Study organization and aims]

In order ot improve and standardize medical and psychosocial care for infants born to HIV-positive mothers, a prospective multicenter study has been initiated at 6 university hospitals in West-Germany in 1987. Aims of the study are: 1) determination of the rate of vertical HIV-transmission, relevant maternal risk factors and the clinical symptomatology of pre-or perinatally acquired HIV-infections, 2) identification of immunological and virological laboratory markers important for the verification and staging of HIV-infections in infants, 3) elaboration of an interdisciplinary approach to the care of HIV-infected children and their families, integrating medical care, social and psychological attendance.