Research * Recherche
The core “raison d’être” of CPARG has always been pediatric and perinatal HIV research. It originated in response to lack of information about pediatric HIV early on in the epidemic, the recognition of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and the rapid need to develop protocols for the use of new drugs as they emerged for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), and for treatment of infected children. Members of CPARG participated in the first trials of Zidovudine for PMTCT, and subsequently in studies of combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) in children. Now twenty years later, the group continues to be active in the next phase of HIV research – investigating HIV viral remission and the potential for functional cure in children. Seven CPARG affiliated sites are participating in the CIHR funded EPIC4 study (Early Pediatric Initiation of cART, Canadian Child Cure Cohort). In addition, there are two CPARG affiliated cohorts studying perinatal HIV transmission and the effects of HIV and cART on HIV exposed uninfected children.