Declining seroprevalence of HIV infection among paediatric inpatients

An unlinked anonymous testing for HIV infection among consecutive paediatric admissions at Cama and Albless Hospital, Mumbai, was performed in 1998-99 and again in 2003-04. The seroprevalence declined from 5.5% (24/535) to 2.2% (10/447). Greater awareness, enhanced antenatal detection and measures taken to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) seem to have contributed to the declining seroprevalence. We believe that paediatric inpatients reflect the extent of MTCT in the community.