Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia, Inc. - 12 Nov 1995
"The data on physician attitudes raise the possibility that infants labeled as HIV-positive, whether infected or not, may suffer discrimination," according to the study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
Betty Wolder Levin, a public health expert at Brooklyn College, and her colleagues surveyed 1,508 neonatalogists -- newborn specialists -- in 1991, and found statistically significant differences in how they would hypothetically treat such babies.
For instance, 98 percent would recommend lifesaving cardiac surgery for a newborn with no risk for AIDS versus 93 percent for a baby whose mother was infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. And only half would recommend the surgery if the baby was known to be infected.
The discrepancies were even sharper for chronic dialysis for kidney illness.
The doctors generally believed the children at risk for AIDS would have short, poor-quality lives.
Since the survey in 1991, there have been improvements in preventing infection of babies and some successes in lengthening the lives of babies who do get AIDS. Those medical developments could change how doctors deal with these complex decisions.
In an accompanying editorial, Gordon Avery of the pediatrics department at George Washington University said the research "suggests that negative perceptions about AIDS may even shade the treatment of infants who are free of infection themselvs but who have been born to HIV-positive mothers."
951112
RE951110
Copyright © 1995 - Reuters, Ltd. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Contact Reuters.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1995. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1995. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .