OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in children. METHODS: The clinical data of 38 children (2-15 years old) with AIDS from a region of Rwanda and who had received HAART were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All of 13 children with anemia showed improved anemia symptoms after HAART. The hemoglobin contents returned to normal levels in 12 children with mild or moderate anemia. CD4 T lymphocytes increased by 24%-1 181% in 5 out of 6 cases with severe immunodeficiency after HAART. During the HAART, the weight gain averaged 2.3 kg yearly. The growth and development in 5 out of 8 children with delayed growth restored the levels of normal children of the same age after HAART. CONCLUSIONS: HAART can improve the health status in children with AIDS and is effective for childhood AIDS.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2010, 12 (11):874-876］