India became the first country in Asia to implement the DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. The test, which uses a dry blood sampling method could possibly save the lives of many children, particularly those under 18 months of age. The HIV DNA PCR test is a very efficient and convenient way of diagnosing children born to an HIV infected mother. It requires no icing or cold-chain equipment, but rather just a few drops of the child’s blood blotted on a piece of paper. Once this is done the paper can be transported to a testing facility and results are available as early as 16 hours later.
Early diagnosis can help get these children onto a treatment plan, which at a young age can prove the difference between “surviving and thriving”. If a child born to an HIV infected mother, the first HIV DNA PCR test is performed at 6 weeks of age. If that PCR test returns a positive result it is repeated for a confirmation. If the PCR test returns a negative result the first time around, a confirmation PCR test is to be performed at 6 months of age. These new developments in testing and treatment options could possibly save many, many young lives.
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