All babies born to women with HIV infection will have HIV
antibodies, transmitted from mother to baby in utero. However, only 14-33%
of these babies will actually get the virus and later develop AIDS. If
mother and baby are given AZT before and after birth, the chance of getting
HIV is reduced to 3-10% (source: National Pediatric & Family HIV Resource
Center).
It is impossible to tell whether children actually have HIV until they reach
18 months. Before this age, there is no way to tell whether the HIV antibody
is the mother's or the baby's.
HIV infection progresses at different rates in children. About 20% progress
rapidly, developing serious signs and symptoms within the first two years of
life. A larger group, about 60%, progress at an intermediate level, and
develop evidence of severe immunosuppression by age seven or eight. A third
group of children remain healthy, with minimal symptoms, through age 9. The
median survival time of these children is 8 to 9 years.