Review: HIV Exposure and Tuberculosis Risk in Children

This narrative review, published in The Lancet Global Health, examines the complex relationship between HIV exposure and tuberculosis in children. Due to the success of antiretroviral programs preventing vertical HIV transmission, there is a growing population of children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (CHEU). While these children do not have HIV, evidence suggests they face higher risks of morbidity and mortality compared to HIV-unexposed children, particularly from infectious diseases. Given the high prevalence of tuberculosis in regions with significant HIV rates, understanding how HIV exposure impacts tuberculosis susceptibility in CHEU is critical. The article highlights the need for further research and targeted health interventions to address the increased vulnerability of this specific demographic. It underscores the importance of monitoring CHEU for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases to improve child health outcomes in high-HIV-prevalence settings. This analysis contributes to the broader medical understanding of long-term health implications for children born to HIV-positive mothers, even when transmission is successfully prevented.