Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is planning to conduct an in-depth research on various aspects of Paediatric HIV with a view to study the reasons for spurt in the number of HIV cases among children in the country. The objective behind this single/multi centric study is to find the potential causes of the disease and to develop a national representative data on Paediatric HIV burden in India.
The ICMR's initiative in this direction stems from the technical report of India HIV estimates 2006 which reports that the total number of HIV infection (in millions) in India was 2.47 million. Out of which 3.8 per cent of the cases seen were below 15 years. The report states that the HIV prevalence for adult males and females together has been showing a declining trend during past five years. It was 0.36 per cent in the year 2006 against 0.45 per cent in 2002. HIV prevalence 2006 in general population was 0.3 per cent. The adult HIV prevalence during last five years remained almost stable at 0.4 per cent varying between 0.45 per cent in 2002 and 0.36 per cent in 2006. People living with HIV in all ages in 2006 was 2.47 million. Around 4 per cent of them were children, 8 per cent among the above-49 age groups and the remaining 88 per cent in 15 to 49 age groups.
The focus of the research will be to develop a system that will help in identification of HIV infected children, geographic areas where there are incidences of HIV infection which includes urban/rural/slum area. The key research areas identified in paediatric HIV infections are to study the social impact of HIV infection of children, role of vaccines to mothers (Hib, pneumococcal) and other issues related to maternal nutrition and nutrition of the HIV infected children. The study will also focus on the issues and ways to deal with preventing mother-to-childtransmission of HIV (PMTCT). In fact, ICMR is initiating a very important study, since mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is a major concern and reason for increase in the number of HIV infection in the world. It happens when an HIV-infected woman passes the virus to her baby. This can occur during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or breastfeeding. Without treatment, around 15-30 per cent of babies born to HIV positive women will become infected with HIV during pregnancy and delivery. A further 5 to 20 per cent will become infected through breastfeeding.
With the launch of this single/multi centric study ICMR plans to encourage the North east region to develop projects in paediatric HIV and will focus on conducting in-depth research on various aspects of paediatric HIV. The ICMR has already invited proposals from the scientists for the research projects and the invitation for proposal is at the national level.