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10 days old abandoned neonate. Parents not known.HE was admitted to an orphanage. Orphanage people are doing HIV ELISA for all admitted babies to them. They are not doing DNA pcr FOR CHILDREN BELOW 18 MONTH as they can not afford it. The abovesaid neonate turned to be ELISA +VE. The pediatrician of the orphanage started him on zidovidine.(i.e prophylaxis) My qustionis Is it correct to start baby on zidovidine prophylaxis when mother status is not known . 2)Doing PCR or Elisa (WHICHEVER APPLICABLE )ROUTINELY OF ALL admitted patient.
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Since the Day 10 old child has a positive HIV ELISA test, it suggests presence of maternally transmitted HIV antibodies and thus a positive ELISA. Thus the child should be given PPTCT and should be given AZT prophylaxis for 4 weeks and no breast feeding. The final HIV diagnosis in the child can be confirmed by doing a PCR test (sensitivity and specificity in India may vary) or by doing an HIV ELISA test at 18 months of age.
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