The presentation of AIDS in children is quite different from that in adults. For example, in children a clinical manifestation of infection or tumor less frequently leads to the diagnosis. In fact, 90% of children with AIDS are now infected by maternofetal transmission and the disease is diagnosed at birth, by biologic tests. There are two presentations in children: in the first group, representing 25% of infected individuals, the disease occurs early and is very severe; in the second group, the disease develops later, after an asymptomatic period which can last several years. Manifestations of AIDS in children are generally pulmonary. Gastrointestinal and central nervous system (CNS) infections are much rarer than in adults. Neoplasms are also rarer than in adults but may occur.

In children, AIDS is mainly related to materno-foetal transmission. Due to antiviral therapy and prevention of infections, the initially very poor prognosis has improved and the length of survival has increased. There are two groups of children: the first (25%) in which the disease occurs early and is very severe, a second one in which the disease develops later after an asymptomatic period which can last several years. Manifestations of AIDS in children are mainly pulmonary and digestive infections, central nervous system infections are much rarer than in adults, neurologic disorders are mainly due to the HIV itself. Tumors are also rarer than in adults but may occur, including lymphomas and smooth muscle tumors.

In children, AIDS is mainly related to materno-foetal transmission. Due to antiviral therapy and prevention of infections, the initially very poor prognosis has improved and the length of survival has increased. There are two groups of children: the first (25 %) in which the disease occurs early and is very severe, a second one in which the disease develops later after an asymptomatic period which can last several years. Manifestations of AIDS in children are mainly pulmonary and digestive infections, central nervous system infections are much rarer than in adults, neurologic disorders are mainly due to the HIV itself. Tumors are also rarer than in adults but may occur, inclucing lymphomas and smooth muscle tumors.