
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 9, 1995                   TAG: 9505090122
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHICAGO                                 LENGTH: Short

HIV BABIES MAY BE WELL FOR YEARS

Contrary to widespread belief, children infected with the AIDS virus at birth may live for years without symptoms and without anyone even realizing they are infected, researchers say.

When such youngsters get sick, doctors may fail to recognize the source of the problem. And even if they are diagnosed, communities and schools may not appreciate their need for social and psychological help, the researchers said.

``The important thing to remember is that these children are out there,'' said Dr. Samuel Grubman led a study of 42 children ages 9 to 15 who had been born with HIV and were being treated for their infections at Children's Hospital of New Jersey in Newark in June 1993.

Ten children had no symptoms, the researchers reported in the May issue of the journal Pediatrics. Eight children showed some signs of illness, but not enough for an AIDS diagnosis, and the remainder had the disease. Thirty-six of the 42 had shown no signs of illness until they were at least 4.

- Associated Press

by CNB