Born babies with HIV infection are currently treated in many parts of the world as standard of care, with antiretroviral therapy - but only after they show signs of illness or a weakened immune system.

However, more HIV-infected infants survive if they are given therapy early on, regardless of their apparent state of health, according to the preliminary results of an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

According to NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.:

"The results of this trial could have significant Public Health implications worldwide.

Because these findings will cause experts to consider changes in standards of care in many parts of the world, NIAID has released details of the interim results to the World Health Organization, local ethics committees, regulatory authorities and other key stakeholders for their consideration and evaluation for possible implementation."

These findings have been presented on July 25 by Avy Violari, M.D., FCPaed (SA), of the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, South Africa) at the 2007 International AIDS Society Conference in Sydney, Australia.

Find more details from the full report.