Is There an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in Infants and Children?

An acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has recently been described in young homosexual males.^1,2 As defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), AIDS is a disorder characterized by T-cell immunodeficiency, recurrent and chronic infection with a variety of opportunistic infections and/or Kaposi's sarcoma. Following initial reports in 1981, an intensive surveillance program was instituted. In 1983, more than 1,000 cases were recorded. However, in addition to AIDS as defined by the CDC, it is clear that there are several related syndromes which include individuals with chronic lymphadenopathy, fever, and weight loss (lymphadenopathy syndrome); other malignancies; and healthy homosexuals with laboratory evidence of immunologic dysregulation.^3,4