Identifying all children infected with HIV as early as possible is an essential component to child survival. To scale-up early infant diagnosis, the process of Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) is a vital intervention.
A two-day orientation programme on EID was organised by the Odisha State AIDS Control Society (OSACS) here.
On the first day, Additional Project Director Dr Rajalaxmi Mohanty presented her key note address on the aims and objectives of the orientation programme on EID and welcomed all the participants.
Regional Coordinator, Department of AIDS Control (DAC) Dr Sripati Das Mohapatra oriented the ICTC and ART lab technicians and counselors, while Joint Director (Basic Service) Dr Bijay Kumar Behera gave a presentation on EID.
On the second day, National Programme Officer on ICTC Dr Raghuram Rao explained the importance of EID and HIV/AIDS. He said that in order to detect HIV infection in children delivered from HIV positive pregnant mothers and make early infant diagnosis to receive essential treatment and care, certain measures are to be taken. Basing on this, basic training on DBS (Dry Blood Spot) was given to the participants and also the roles and responsibilities of ICTC and ART lab technicians in EID were discussed.
For children below 18 months, both breastfed and non-breastfed, born to HIV-infected mothers, the strategies to be adopted are: The first HIV DNA PCR test shall be conducted at 6 weeks of age. If the PCR test is positive, the test is to be repeated immediately (or as early as possible for confirmation). If the first PCR test is negative in a non-breastfed baby, confirm with a second PCR test at 6 months.
If the child is breastfed and initial PCR test at 6 weeks is negative, PCR testing should be repeated in six to eight weeks after cessation of breastfeeding to rule out HIV infection. In case of mixed feeding, the same strategy is to be applied as in a breastfed baby.