1% of registered AIDS cases are children, 80% have been perinatally infected. Special diagnostic criteria have to be applied for infants. Intrauterine infection can produce a specific malformation syndrome. Chronic pulmonary illness can be caused by pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia and-less frequently-by Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia is responsive to corticoids. HIV infected mothers should refrain from breast feeding. Teenagers have to be informed adequately about the risks of and how to avoid HIV infection.