Clinical profile and natural history of children with HIV infection

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Clinical profile and natural history of children with HIV infection

Lodha Rakesh, Upadhyay Amit, Kapoor Vishal, Kabra SK

Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences,

New Delhi, India

Correspondence Address: Kabra S K. Department of Pediatrics, All

India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029

India skkabra@...

Abstract

Objective : As the HIV infection spreads in India, increasing number

of children are affected. We report the clinical manifestations, the

laboratory parameters and follow up of these children.

Methods : We reviewed case records of all children diagnosed as

pediatric HIV infection since 1995 in our department at a tertiary

care hospital in north India. Since September 1999, all children

with HIV infection registered in our clinic were prospectively

followed up. Complete clinical and laboratory evaluation was

performed at baseline and thereafter children were followed up.

The children were managed according to standard treatment

guidelines.

Results : 109 children (82 boys, 27 girls) were

diagnosed to have HIV infection. The median (range) age at

presentation was 48 months (range: 0.75 months - 180 months). Eighty

one (74.3%) children acquired the infection vertically. Ninety-one

(83.5%) children were symptomatic at time of presentation. The

common symptoms in the former were failure to thrive (81.3%),

recurrent fever (73.6%), diarrhea (50.5%) and recurrent or

persistent pneumonia (44%). All children had poor nutritional status

at baseline. Of the 67 children who followed up, 36 were receiving

antiretroviral drugs (32 received 3 drugs), while families of 31

children did not opt for antiretroviral therapy. Children receiving

antiretroviral therapy showed improvement in nutritional parameters.

Conclusion : Majority of children with HIV infection presented with

various clinical manifestations, poor nutritional status and

immunosuppression. Administration of nevirapine based antiretroviral

therapy leads to improvement in growth and immune restoration.

Keywords: HIV; Children; Antiretrovirals; Natural history

Lodha R, Upadhyay A, Kapoor V, Kabra SK. Clinical profile and

natural history of children with HIV infection. Indian J Pediatr

[serial online] 2006 [cited 2006 Apr 25];73:201-204.

Available from: http://www.ijppediatricsindia.org/article.asp?

issn=0019-

5456;year=2006;volume=73;issue=3;spage=201;epage=204;aulast=Lodha