Why are babies given DNA PCR tests?
DNA PCR is looking for the viral DNA, the viral genetic material in the form that it’s in, when it’s infecting cells. So when you’re using an HIV DNA PCR, you’re looking for lymphocytes that are infected with HIV, genetic material, in the baby. You don’t want to wait until 18 months when the antibodies would have left the blood if the child is not infected, and only be present if the child is infected, because half of the HIV positive babies will die in the first year, so you really want to diagnose it well before.