Abstract
Children are among the most defenseless of vulnerable populations. Providing palliative care to children with HIV/AIDS presents unique challenges to family, nurses, and the entire healthcare system. Significant issues include the global perspective on the needs of children with HIV/AIDS, family concerns and specific palliative care needs of such children, unique issues of child consent in treatment and research, and future challenges in practice and research as the human immunodeficiency virus continues to evolve. Caring for children with HIV/AIDS and their families presents challenges and specific implications for hospice and palliative nurses.