Neurologic complications of HIV infection in children.

Neurologic abnormalities occur frequently in children with symptomatic HIV-1 infection (class P2) and include cognitive, language and motor deficits, as well as acquired microcephaly. Neurologic abnormalities can be seen as early as the first 3 months of age and can precede signs of immune deficiency and systemic illness. Hypotonia, delayed or poor head control and decreased vocalizations are some of the early neurologic manifestations of HIV-1 infection. In the majority of cases CNS impairment appears to be related to HIV-1 brain infection although at this time the exact timing of CNS invasion by the virus and the pathogenesis of CNS dysfunction are unknown. Treatment with antiretroviral agents can at least temporarily improve neurologic functioning in some children with HIV-1-related encephalopathy.