A 2-month-old infant with pneumonia (Page 2/3)
Prepared by...
Virat Sirisanthana, M.D.
Department of Pediatrics, Chiang Mai University
 

More information of  the illness.........

 

Family History : Her mother awared of her HIV-infected status before the pregnancy. Her husband is
HIV-seronegative. She never take any antiretroviral agent. The patient had no Pneumocystis carinii
pneumonia prophylaxis. 
 

Other Laboratory Findings :
Serology : HIV-Ab : positive
Serum Enzymes: Lactate dehydrogenase: 756 units/L
Blood culture : no growth for bacteria and fungus

 

Course in the hospital:
 With respiratory support and anti Pneumocystis carinii therapy, she gradually improved and could be
extubated in 13 days.
 
CXR 14 days after admission : Click to see larger picture
 
Final Diagnosis: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected infant
 
Points of interest :
1.
 The most common severe opportunistic infection in infants born to HIV-infected mothers (although their HIV-infected status have not yet been known) is Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
2.
 Antinatal, perinatal and postnatal zidovudine regimen could decrease HIV transmission from mothers to infants.
3.
 The zidovudine regimen is "free of charge" to every Thai HIV-positive pregnant woman.
4.
 Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis should be given to every infant born to HIV-infected mother until the infected status is established or until the age of 6-12 month old.

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