A small proportion of children who start HIV treatment very early may be able to maintain ongoing viral suppression after stopping antiretroviral therapy (ART). In 2013, researchers reported on the Mississippi Baby, an infant born with HIV who started antiretrovirals 30 hours after birth. She stopped treatment at 18 months but maintained viral suppression for more than two years before experiencing viral rebound. That case inspired the IMPAACT P1115 trial, in which 54 infants who acquired HIV during gestation started combination anti-retroviral treatment within 48 hours after birth. Six of the children met strict criteria for undetectable HIV and began a closely monitored treatment interruption at an average age of 5.5 years. Two of the children experienced relatively rapid viral rebound at three and eight weeks after stopping treatment, but three girls and one boy achieved ART-free remission. One child maintained viral suppression for 80 weeks before experiencing viral rebound. The other three were still in remission at 48, 52 and 64 weeks.
Cure: Remission in Kids
Within 48 hours after birth, researchers started combination anti-retroviral treatment in infants who acquired HIV during gestation.
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