AAP Updates Recommendations on HIV Screening

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its Preventive Pediatric Health Care Recommendations on screening for HIV among adolescents and young adults.

The recommendations are an update to the group’s July 2022 recommendations and align with AAP policy and the latest recommendations from the US Preventative Services Task Force.

The recommendations now suggest screening adolescents and young adults for HIV at least once between the ages of 15 to 21 years. The previous recommendations only included screening between the ages of 15 to 18 years. The change includes the range for which screening can take place.

Additionally, those who are an increased risk of HIV should be retested annually or more frequently if needed.

However, the authors note that the guidance is intended for individuals without health concerns, and additional preventative care may be needed for those with chronic diseases or developmental or psychosocial delays.

“The AAP continues to emphasize the great importance of continuity of care in comprehensive health supervision and the need to avoid fragmentation of care,” the authors concluded.

Reference:

Hackell JM, Almendarez YM, Berhane AM; Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine, Bright Futures Periodicity Schedule Workgroup. 2023 recommendations for preventive pediatric health care. Pediatrics. 2023;151(4):e20230061451. doi:10.1542/peds.2023-061451.