Children's AIDS CenterIn 1983, physicians at Children's Hospital Los Angeles identified the first case of pediatric AIDS in Southern California. Since then, Children's Hospital Los Angeles has become the largest pediatric AIDS and HIV care provider in the western United States, currently treating more than 300 children, adolescents and their families in the Hemophilia, Adolescent Medicine and Allergy/Immunology programs. The Children's AIDS Center is a multidisciplinary, coordinated and comprehensive program for the treatment of AIDS and HIV infections in youth between the ages of 12 and 23. The program focuses on the multiple and unique needs of HIV-infected children through a family-centered approach. Combining a commitment to research and education that results in the highest quality clinical care, the Children's AIDS Center offers patients the hope of early detection, prompt treatment, fewer opportunistic infections and a better quality of life. The program is a designated AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) Pediatric Sub-Unit through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. HIV infection in children and adolescents differs from adults because it is often difficult to diagnose, as symptoms are nonspecific. These young patients experience failure to thrive, recurrent opportunistic infections and abnormalities that affect growth, motor development and the central nervous system. HIV/AIDS CareChildren, teenagers and young adults with HIV infection receive comprehensive medical and psychosocial care at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Medical services include coordinated clinical care, confidential HIV antibody testing, medical evaluation, nutritional counseling, pre- and post-test counseling, pharmacy, hospitalization, if necessary, investigational therapies (clinical trials) and specialty referrals, as needed. Psychosocial services include comprehensive case management, individual, partner & family counseling, health education, neuropsychological evaluation, support groups for youth, support groups for parents/guardians and referral to community resources. In addition, the Children's AIDS Center provides community outreach services including community advisory boards, community education programs, consultation to district school boards, clinical training for physicians, psychologists, nurses and social workers and the University Children Medical Group Speakers Bureau. Services for HIV-infected children, teenagers and young adults are available in specialized multidisciplinary ambulatory care services at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Clinical Immunology Service - Division of Clinical Immunology and AllergyThe Clinical Immunology Service provides coordinated comprehensive care for infants and children under 16 years who are HIV-infected or at risk through perinatal transmission or through transfusions received prior to the screening of blood for HIV antibodies. Risk Reduction - Division of Adolescent MedicineThe Teenage Health Center in the Division of Adolescent Medicine provides comprehensive health care services to youths ages 12 through 23 years old who are HIV-infected or at risk of infection. Services are provided with sensitivity to the developmental needs of teenagers and their families. The Division of Adolescent Medicine's Risk Reduction Program provides services designed to prevent the spread of HIV infection among youth utilizing the Division services. Homeless and runaway youth, pregnant teens and teen parents are high priorities. A street outreach team provides curbside counseling about AIDS and risk reduction behaviors to youth on the street. Referrals for shelter, health care and social services are also provided by outreach workers. A team that includes youth educators provides group education and skill building sessions to pregnant teens and teen parents at schools and community agencies. Case ManagementThe Los Angeles Family AIDS Network (LAFAN) is a federally funded Pediatric AIDS Demonstration Project for Los Angeles County. It provides comprehensive case management services at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and six other hospital-based pediatric AIDS programs. Mental Health ServicesThe Division of Adolescent Medicine provides mental health services to youth living with HIV and youth affected by HIV. Psychologists provide individual, couple, family and group counseling. ResearchSince there is currently no cure for AIDS, clinical research studies represent AIDS patients' best hope. At Children's Hospital Los Angeles, physicians, scientists and health care professionals are involved in basic science and clinical research of standard and agents and combinations of investigational therapies for HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infections. Contact UsChildren's Hospital Los Angeles Division of Adolescent Medicine: 323-361-2153 How to Find UsChildren's AIDS Center From Main Hospital Entrance: Division of Adolescent Medicine From Southbound 101 From Northbound 101 From Interstate 5 |