Revolutionizing pediatric HIV therapy: The latest breakthroughs in drug delivery techniques

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the root cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which destroys the body's immune cells, thereby rendering the body unable to fight any infections. It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in adults but in children, it is passed on from an HIV-positive mother in the womb or through the birth canal, or via breastfeeding. According to a report by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) 2021, 2.73 million children have been infected with this virus globally. Current statistics for 2022–23 would be updated by July 2023. Many antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are available in the market for preventing the vertical transmission of HIV which are not 100% effective. The regimen for treating HIV in children is of long duration and requires drug administration multiple times daily which makes it less compliant for the children as well as their guardians. As a result, the children are unable to complete the regimen. Multiple new dosage forms such as microarray patches, buccal films, 3D-printed mini tablets, polymeric micelles, and food-based nanoparticles have been developed to overcome these problems. This article aims to discuss the problems with existing therapy and recent advances that have been made in HIV therapy for children along with the various clinical trials that are currently underway. [Display omitted]