AEGiS-APPJ: Comment: Disclosing a Diagnosis of HIV to Children: Providing the Best Possible Care AIDS & Public Policy JournalImportant note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Comment: Disclosing a Diagnosis of HIV to Children: Providing the Best Possible Care

AIDS & Public Policy Journal 17, no. 1 (Spring 2002) 13-16
Steven Hirschfeld

Flanagan-Klygis and colleagues have attempted to address the question of disclosing the diagnosis of HIV to children by comparing the results of two original surveys they conducted, one of parents of HIV-infected children at one medical center, and one of physicians who care for HIV-infected children at many different centers.

Recognizing the preliminary nature of the study and the relatively small number of subjects, it conveys a signal that parents and physicians are willing to collude in non-disclosure, with a recognition by physicians that this may be detrimental to the child and contrary to their ethical beliefs. Flanagan-Klygis and colleagues recommend that physicians inform parents of their beliefs, and work with parents to develop a plan for disclosure, individualizing this for each child. This is consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, but more must be done.
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