The downside of success: confirmation of HIV infection in early treated children

[...]virological testing for HIV DNA or RNA (needed for infant diagnosis because of the presence of maternal antibodies to HIV) might not be readily available in all settings and, when available, might not be 100% accurate, and, second, present treatment guidelines recommend immediate initiation of ART for all children with a positive test result.5 As a result, confirmation of HIV infection might be needed after a child starts ART, either because the caregiver or clinician suspects misdiagnosis or because of a discrepant, negative confirmatory test.