Is the Birth PCR Still Necessary for HIV Exposed Newborns?

In 2009 the Unites States Public Health Service (US-PHS) changed its recommendations for diagnostic testing of HIV exposed infants. However, barriers for compliance to testing remain. We evaluated the compliance with the 2009 USPHS recommendation at our center. A total of 244 HIV exposed infants were identified from 2009 to 2012. HIV DNA PCR was done in less than 48 hours of life in 216 (90.7%) infants, between 14-21 days in 143 (60.1%). We believe it remains important to perform HIV testing at birth especially when testing at 14 to 21 days of life cannot be assured.