Childrens AIDS Center

In 1983, physicians at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles identified the first case of pediatric AIDS in Southern California. Since then, Childrens 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 Childrens AIDS Center is a multidisciplinary, coordinated and comprehensive program for the treatment of AIDS and HIV infections. 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 Childrens 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 Care

Children, teenagers and young adults with HIV infection receive comprehensive medical and psychosocial care at Childrens 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 Childrens 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 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Clinical Immunology Service - Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

The 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 Medicine

The 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 Management

The 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 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and six other hospital-based pediatric AIDS programs.

Mental Health Services

The 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.

Research

Since there is currently no cure for AIDS, clinical research studies represent AIDS patients' best hope. At Childrens 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 Us

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
4650 Sunset Blvd., #75
Los Angeles, CA 90027-6062
(323) 361-2501

Division of Adolescent Medicine (323) 361-2153

How to Find Us

Childrens AIDS Center
To Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy:

From Main Hospital Entrance:
Stop at Information Desk to receive visitor badge.
Turn left into first hallway and walk to the end of the hallway.
Enter the Outpatient Tower by taking the ramp to the bridge. (Note: You will automatically be on the 3rd floor).
Upon entering the Outpatient Tower, turn left from the information desk, to Allergy/Immunology Clinic.

Division of Adolescent Medicine
The Division of Adolescent Medicine is in the California Federal Bank building at 5000 Sunset Boulevard, 4th floor, located ½ mile West of the CHLA hospital at the corner of Alexandria Street and Sunset Boulevard. Parking is available for a fee in the building parking lot. Enter the parking structure on Alexandria Street.

From Southbound 101
Exit Sunset Boulevard.
Left (east) on Sunset Boulevard.
California Federal Bank building will be on your right-hand side, on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Alexandria Street.

From Northbound 101
Exit Vermont Avenue.
Right (north) on Vermont Avenue to Sunset Boulevard.
Left (west) on Sunset Boulevard.
California Federal Bank building will be on your left-hand side, on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Alexandria Street.

From Interstate 5
Exit Los Feliz Boulevard.
West on Los Feliz to Hillhurst.
Left (south) on Hillhurst to Sunset Boulevard.
Right (west) on Sunset Boulevard.
California Federal Bank building will be on your left-hand side, on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Alexandria Street.