Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 Jul 1;20(4):379-387.
doi: 10.1097/COH.0000000000000938. Epub 2025 May 21.

Aging of adult lifetime survivors with perinatal HIV

Indira Mallik  1 , Merle Henderson  1   2   3 , Sarah Fidler  1   2   3 , Caroline Foster  1
Affiliations
Review

Aging of adult lifetime survivors with perinatal HIV

Indira Mallik et al. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: We describe the emerging clinical outcomes for adults born with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV), who have been living with HIV throughout their life. Whilst many comorbidities appear similar to adults with horizontally acquired HIV, they manifest at a younger chronological age. The additional impact of HIV throughout postnatal, childhood and adolescent growth and development requires further consideration.

Recent findings: There is growing evidence of an increased incidence of metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, bone and renal impairment as well as structural brain changes associated with impaired cognitive function, and mental health disorders; early case series data suggests a six-fold increased prevalence of psychosis for those with lifelong HIV compared with age-matched peers. Older age, prior CDC-C diagnoses and lower nadir CD4 count confer the greatest risk of PHIV complications in adulthood, but biological factors are compounded by socioeconomic deprivation, bereavement, HIV-associated stigma, discrimination and immigration. The aetiology of these increased comorbidities is yet to be fully elucidated but includes lifelong systemic inflammation and immune dysfunction despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Summary: Adults living with lifelong HIV experience increased risk of comorbidities at a younger chronological age despite viral suppression on ART. Exploring the aetiology and characterizing the clinical manifestations of lifelong HIV can best inform screening tools and interventions that can enhance quality of life and longevity.

Keywords: comorbidities; lifelong HIV; mental health; perinatally acquired HIV; sexual health and pregnancy; young adults.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Box 1
Box 1
no caption available
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads [Internet]. Geneva: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); 2024. Available at: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2024/global-aids-update-2024. [Accessed 25 February 2025].
    1. Foster C, Ayers S, Mcdonald S, et al. . Clinical outcomes post transition to adult services in young adults with perinatally acquired HIV infection: mortality, retention in care and viral suppression. AIDS 2020; 34:261–266. - PubMed
    1. Abd-Elmoniem KZ, Yeramosu T, Purdy JB, et al. . The role of HIV as a risk modifier for coronary endothelial function in young adults. HIV Med 2023; 24:818–826. - PubMed
    1. Chhabra S, Fidler S, Ayers S, et al. . Malignancy and all-cause mortality; incidence in adolescents and young adults living with perinatally acquired HIV. J Virus Erad 2020; 6:30–33. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Henderson M, Fidler S, Foster C. Adults with perinatally acquired HIV; emerging clinical outcomes and data gaps. Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:74. - PMC - PubMed