How HIV affects children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The 1997 World AIDS Day drew attention to how the epidemic is affecting children worldwide. Last year, 400,000 children under 15 years of age became contaminated, and if the spread of HIV is not contained, infant mortality rates will climb to 75 percent by the year 2010. AIDS typically runs a faster course in children than in adults, particularly in developing countries. Directing prevention efforts toward children is crucial to contain the further spread of AIDS. Statistics are provided for infection rates worldwide.