OBJECTIVES. We studied the risk and circumstances of separation (due to either maternal death or drug use) between women infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and their children. METHODS. This analysis was based on the French Prospective Study of Infants Born to HIV-seropositive Women (1986 through 1993). Data recorded at each follow-up visit included the mother's effective presence with the child and the child's care after separation. RESULTS. A child's cumulative risk of long-term or permanent separation from his or her mother was 37% at 60 months. Maternal drug use was associated with an added risk during the child's first years (adjusted relative risk [RR]=3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.3, 5.0). The risk among drug users was even higher when the mother used injection drugs during pregnancy (adjusted RR=2.9, 95% CI=1.9, 4.3). Risk of early separation related to drug use tended to diminish since survey initiation. After separation, 57% of the children were placed through child welfare services and 43% were cared for by relatives. CONCLUSIONS. In the French Prospective Study, 2% to 3% of HIV-infected children were separated each year from their mothers as a result of the mothers death from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Separations related to drug use have decreased over the years, and the family is becoming the most frequent carer after separation.

The authors refer a case report of the Peutz-Jeghers tumour localised in transverse colon found during a systematic clinical examination of the 4-day-old newborn, without any signs of intestinal occlusion. The end-to-end colic resection was made. Post-operative course was without any complications. The observation is rarely due to the tumour's atypical localisation as well as its presence in the newborn.

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An infant with idiopathic arterial calcification is presented. The disease was diagnosed during the life of the patient as an aortogram demonstrated a stenosis of the left coronary artery and complete occlusion of the right coronary artery.

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