A systematic review of cognitive development and child human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The objective was to systematically review measures and effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on neurocognitive outcomes for children. Published studies were identified through the use of electronic databases (Cochrane database, Medline, PubMed, Psychinfo) supplemented by hand searching and coverage of the gray literature. All studies including children with HIV infection, which utilized at least one systematic measure of cognitive functioning, reported on place, sample size, age, and outcome measures, and included a control group were eligible for inclusion.

Evidence-based gender findings for children affected by HIV and AIDS - a systematic overview.

This review (under the International Joint Learning Initiative on Children and AIDS) provides a detailed evidence analysis of gender, children and AIDS. Six systematic reviews provide the most up to date evidence base on research surrounding children and HIV on key topics of treatment resistance and adherence, schooling, nutrition, cognitive development and orphaning and bereavement. Traditional systematic review techniques were used to identify all published studies on four key topics, then studies were selected according to adequacy criteria (sufficient size, control group and adequate measures).

A systematic review on the meaning of the concept 'AIDS Orphan': confusion over definitions and implications for care.

Global publications on the international AIDS epidemic report on the existence of an ever-increasing number of orphans and vulnerable children. It has been suggested that by the end of this decade there will be in excess of 25 million AIDS orphans globally, an issue which will require understanding and organisation of long-term medical, psychological and social support. This study provides a systematic review to examine the use, overuse and misuse of the term orphan and explores the benefits and limitations of this approach.