[Neuropsychological development of children born to HIV-positive mothers].

138 children born to HIV infected mothers (58 HIV infected and 80 seroreverted uninfected) were followed up at the Institute of Infectious Diseases of the University of Pavia. All patients had an evaluation of neurological assessment every three months done by a pediatric neurologist (Amiel-Tison and Towen) and an evaluation of psychological assessment by observation of child-mother interaction. The development quotient was examined using the Griffiths Scales and mental development using the Wisc-R scale. The incidence of Central Nervous System involvement was 36% in children with symptomatic HIV infection, the hump of incidence of severe encephalopathy was in the first 4 or 5 year of life, another hump (smaller) was in preadolescence. Development deficit and psychological problems were discovered both in asymptomatic infected and in non infected children, without difference of percentage between the two groups.