A telephone survey was conducted to determine the present status of guidelines for HIV antibody testing of pediatric sexual abuse (PSA) victims. A standard set of clinical situations was presented to 63 practitioners to assess whether a consensus exists of indications for HIV antibody testing of abused children. Seven clinical profiles with 12 criteria were presented including HIV antibody status, AIDS/ARC clinical profile, and behavioral profile of the assailant; clinical profile of the victim; pre-assault victim behavioral profile compatible with high risk of HIV infection (exclusively adolescents); parent/guardian anxiety/psychosocial profile; and profile of the assaultive act with respect to potential transmissibility of HIV. An 85 percent or greater consensus for six testing criteria was found and an interim set of HIV antibody testing guidelines for PSA victims was proposed based upon these criteria. There was no consensus about five testing criteria, but their frequent citation merits further consideration. Clinical application of interim guidelines and design of prospective studies to quantitatively evaluate them are reviewed. 3 tables, 1 figure, 22 references. (Author abstract modified)