A Proposed Framework for the Implementation of Early Infant Diagnosis Point-of-Care

A Proposed Framework for the Implementation of Early Infant Diagnosis Point-of-Care

A Proposed Framework for the Implementation of Early Infant Diagnosis Point-of-Care

To reduce morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected children and close the treatment gap for HIV-infected children, there is an urgent need to evaluate existing programmatic and laboratory practices for early infant diagnosis and introduce strategies to improve identification of HIV-exposed infants and ensure access to systematic, early HIV testing, with early linkage to treatment for HIV-infected infants. This article describes progress made in follow-up of HIV-exposed infants since 2006, including remaining unmet laboratory and programmatic needs, and recommends strategies for improvement, especially those related to the implementation of point-of-care technology for early infant diagnosis.