[LAV virus infections in children].

The clinical signs and immunological abnormalities in ten babies with lymphadenopathy associated virus infections (LAV) are described. We have made this diagnosis based on the association of specific immunological abnormalities, serological tests or the positive isolation of the virus. In one very severe case, whose mother died of AIDS, the serology and attempts to isolate the virus were both negative. Excluding the two post-transfusion cases, the ethnic and familial history always suggested the diagnosis. The clinical characteristics were very close to those in adults, being hepatosplenomegaly and generalized lymphadenopathy. There was an associated retardation of growth and weight gain. A decrease of the absolute number of OKT4(+) lymphocytes and hypergammaglobulinaemia were the abnormalities most frequently observed. The degree of immunodeficiency, both humoral and cellular was very variable. The existence of LAV infection during the first few months of life suggests a maternal-foetal transmission, but a post-natal infection cannot be eliminated. It is difficult to decide the long-term prognosis; it depends mainly on the degree of the immune deficiency.