New HIV Therapy Options for Children
Antiretroviral therapy for children to prevent progression of HIV and AIDS has so far been limited. Now there is some new hope for millions of children suffering from HIV as pediatric formulations are currently being developed.
There are approximately 2 300 000 children living with HIV in the world. Of these, almost 90% of them lives in Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. Up until now, antiretroviral therapy treatment especially designed for children has been limited. Children in need of HIV-treatment will have to turn to available antiretroviral therapy developed for adults, often in the form of liquid solutions, to prevent progression of HIV disease and AIDS.
One major problem for physicians treating children infected with HIV is the lack of fixed dosing options. Whereas adults often can take one to three pills per day, depending on what regimen they´re on, children are required to take doses in accordance with their age, and more importantly, to their body mass and weight.
Another problem for children living in countries with very hot weather, such as in most African countries, is the need for refrigeration of their medicine which often causes a big problem.
New pediatric formulations for the treatment of HIV in children include smaller tablets, non-requirement of food intake and no need to store the medicines in a refrigerator. This will most likely be of a huge advantage for treating children living with HIV in a near future.
As governments, help organizations and pharmaceutical companies pursue new ways to provide access to antiretroviral therapy for all in need, let´s hope we can someday limit the tragic HIV epidemic the world is now facing.
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