Medicine: Young Victims

AIDS may be the villain

At first the mysterious, deadly epidemic appeared to be confined to promiscuous male homosexuals. Next, it was detected in heterosexual drug abusers, Haitians and hemophiliacs. Now there is good evidence that acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, has spread to a fifth group: children. In Atlanta last week the Centers for Disease Control reported 22 suspected cases of AIDS in children under five in New York, New Jersey and California. The CDC is cautious about confirming the diagnoses, but at least four cases seem well documented.

The reason for the uncertainty is that no one knows what causes...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!