Immune deficiency syndrome in children
J. Oleske, A. Minnefor, R. Cooper Jr, K. Thomas, A. dela Cruz, H. Ahdieh, I. Guerrero, V. V. Joshi and F. Desposito
The present epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was
originally described in homosexual men and subsequently in intravenous drug
abusers, Haitians, and hemophiliacs. Profound defects in cell-mediated
immunity (CMI) are associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and a variety of
serious opportunistic infections. Recently, we and others have encountered
a group of children with an otherwise unexplained immune deficiency
syndrome and infections of the type found in adults with AIDS. In this
report, we describe eight children from the Newark, NJ, metropolitan area
born into families with recognized risks for AIDS. These patients have had
recurrent febrile illnesses, failure to thrive, hypergammaglobulinemia, and
depressed CMI. Four of these children have died. Our experience suggests
that children living in high-risk households are susceptible to AIDS and
that sexual contact, drug abuse, or exposure to blood products is not
necessary for disease transmission.
