[Prospective study of newborn infants born to mothers infected with human immunodeficiency virus].

Perinatal transmission of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from mother to child is at the present time the most important cause of AIDS in children. Since August 1985 we have observed 24 babies with anti-HIV antibodies born to HIV-infected mothers. Their present status is: 6 have symptomatic infection, 6 undetermined infection, 10 had became seronegative and 2 were lost for follow-up. Our results suggest that the risk of infection for the baby is high and the onset of symptoms relatively early. Follow-up studies in babies born to HIV-infected mothers are needed in order to classify the true risk of infection in them and the natural history of the disease.