From the Guidelines
HIV in Mexican children and adolescents is a significant concern, with an estimated 4,000-5,000 living with the disease, and an annual incidence rate of roughly 200-300 new cases per year, primarily due to mother-to-child transmission and sexual transmission among adolescents. The prevalence rate is approximately 0.1% in this population, with regional variations and higher rates in urban centers and southern states [@1@]. According to the study published in Advances in Nutrition [@1@], globally, there were about 38 million people living with HIV in 2019, of which approximately 1.8 million were children aged <14 years.
Key Statistics
- Estimated number of children and adolescents living with HIV in Mexico: 4,000-5,000
- Annual incidence rate: 200-300 new cases per year
- Prevalence rate: approximately 0.1% in children and adolescents
- Primary transmission routes: mother-to-child transmission and sexual transmission among adolescents
Transmission and Prevention
The transmission of HIV from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding is a significant contributor to the HIV pandemic, accounting for 9% of new infections globally [@1@]. Prevention efforts should focus on comprehensive sex education, expanded HIV testing for pregnant women and at-risk adolescents, and ensuring antiretroviral therapy access for all infected youth. Early diagnosis is crucial, as many children are diagnosed late, leading to poorer outcomes [@1@].
Healthcare and Barriers to Care
The Mexican healthcare system provides free antiretroviral treatment through Seguro Popular and other programs, but barriers to care persist, including stigma and limited specialized pediatric HIV services in rural areas. It is essential to address these barriers to ensure that all infected children and adolescents have access to timely and effective treatment [@1@].
From the Research
HIV in Children and Adolescents in Mexican Populations
- There is limited information available on the number of cases, estimated incidence, and prevalence rates of HIV in children and adolescents in Mexican populations from the provided studies.
- The studies primarily focus on the treatment of HIV infections, antiretroviral therapy, and the use of different classes of drugs such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) 1, 2, 3, 4.
- One study discusses the outcomes of pediatric patients with HIV, including mortality and clinical events rates among children, adolescents, and youth with perinatally acquired HIV, but it does not specifically focus on Mexican populations 5.
Incidence and Prevalence Rates
- The study by 5 provides information on the incidence rates of mortality and clinical events among children, adolescents, and youth with perinatally acquired HIV, but it is not specific to Mexican populations.
- The incidence rates of mortality and clinical events were found to be higher in younger and older age groups, and lower CD4 strata were associated with increased rates of both mortality and first occurrence of a clinical event 5.
Treatment and Management
- The studies discuss the use of different classes of antiretroviral drugs, including NRTIs, NNRTIs, and PIs, in the treatment of HIV infections 1, 2, 3, 4.
- The importance of early access to HIV diagnosis and care, as well as adolescent- and youth-focused health services, is highlighted in the study by 5.