The success of HIV treatment programmes globally has resulted in children with perinatally acquired HIV reaching adolescence in large numbers. Globally, in 2019 an estimated 38 million people were living with HIV (including 1.8 million children). The adolescent population living with HIV comprises vertically (prenatally and postnatally) and horizontally (behaviourally) HIV-infected adolescents. Compared to HIV-infected children and adults, HIV-infected adolescents have poorer retention in care, lower rates of virology suppression and higher rates of mortality.


