The treatment of non-HIV-related conditions in newborns at risk for HIV: a survey of neonatologists.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes of neonatologists about treatment of conditions unrelated to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for critically ill newborns at risk for HIV.

Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to the 1508 members of the Section on Perinatal Medicine of the American Academy of Pediatrics; 63% completed the survey (n = 951). The survey included structured questions about treatment for hypothetical cases and open-ended questions eliciting reasons for decisions.

Results: Differences in recommendations for treatment by both maternal and infant HIV status were substantial and statistically reliable. For example, 98% of respondents recommended life-saving cardiac surgery for a neonate with no risk for HIV, but only 93% recommended such surgery for a child of an HIV-positive mother; only 50% recommended the same surgery for a newborn known to be infected. The corresponding figures for chronic dialysis were 91%, 61%, and 26%. Most expected diminished quality of life for both infected and uninfected children of HIV-positive mothers.

Conclusions: Recommendations about life-sustaining treatment for non-HIV-related conditions varied by HIV status. These data on physician attitudes raise the possibility that infants labeled as HIV positive, whether infected or not, may suffer discrimination.