In adults, plasma viral RNA load and CD4 cell counts are established as markers of prognosis in HIV infection. Now US researchers have provided data about children (Journal of the American Medical Association 1998;279:756-61). In children admitted to a trial of treatment with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, a baseline RNA load of less than 10 000 copies/ml and a satisfactory CD4 count (over 500 × 10⁶/l for children under 6.5 years, over 200 × 10⁶/l over 6.5 years) were associated with a two year disease progression rate of less than 5%.

A multicentre North American study of 267 women who took a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant during pregnancy and 267 controls (Journal of the American Medical Association 1998:279:609-10) has shown no evidence that these drugs are teratogenic in therapeutic doses.

Many children with repaired heart defects are at continuing risk of infective endocarditis and prophylaxis remains important. In Oregon, USA follow up data were available for some 3400 children (Journal of the American Medical Association1998;279:599-603). The highest risk was after repair of valvular aortic stenosis (13% over 25 years). Other 25 year risks were: …