Table 3.

Definitions for children born to HIV-seropositive mothers who died before infection status could be determined by serology. Ghent classification, 1992.

Probable HIV-related death

Either AIDS*

or

At least one HIV-related sign/symptom** when last seen

and

Dying from severe infection† or persistent diarrhoea beyond the first 4 weeks of life‡

Probable non-HIV-related death

No HIV-related sign/symptoms** when last seen

and

Dying from cause other than severe infection† or persistent diarrhoea after the first 4 weeks of life

Death with indeterminate relation to HIV infection

All deaths occurring within the first 4 weeks of life

or

Beyond this period, all the deaths not classified above

^*See definition in Table 1.

^**See definition in Table 2.

^†It may be necessary to establish a list of severe paediatric infections for this purpose.

^‡Children who died from persistent diarrhoea but do not present any other HIV-related sign/symptom should be considered as a death with indeterminate relation to HIV infection.