HIV post-exposure prophylaxis in children and adolescents presenting for reported sexual assault.

Background: The appropriate use of antiretroviral medications to protect against infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is unclear in cases of sexual assault of children, for whom the perpetrator's risk of HIV is often unknown, and physical proof of sexual contact is usually absent.

Objective: In an effort to clarify prescribing practices for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) at our institution, we examined records of all children tested for HIV for prevalence of infection, our experience with prescribing PEP, and follow-up rates.

Design/methods: Medical records at a sexual abuse clinic of all children tested for HIV during a 38-month period were reviewed for information concerning risk factors for HIV acquisition, STI test results, and PEP experience.