The etiology of psychiatric disorders in children with vertically acquired HIV is assumed to be related not only to neurotoxicity of HIV virus but also to environmental factors. To presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders has many consequences including worse compliance and engagement in risk behaviors which may lead to the expansion of HIV virus. By the end of 2012 - 118 children were subject to antiretroviral therapy in Poland.

The goal of the study was to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with perinatal HIV infection.

The study is carried out in The Clinic of Infectious Diseases of Childhood in Warsaw's Hospital for Infectious Diseases. 59 vertically HIV infected children aged 6-18 were qualified for the study. The control group is made up of healthy children at risk of infection (healthy children of HIV positive mothers). All subjects are interviewed with K-SADS-PL, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self Report (YSR) questionnaires in the diagnostic process for the presence of psychiatric disorders and quality of life testing.

Out of thirteen HIV vertically infected children tested up to day eight met criteria for at least one current or past psychiatric disorder according to DSM IV including ADHD, mood and anxiety disorders. One patient met criteria for five psychiatric disorders.

62% of HIV vertically infected children presented symptoms of at least one psychiatric disorders. The results of the pilot study suggest that the continuation of the study is justified.