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Thyroid function in children with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.
F Chiarelli1, L Galli, A Verrotti
1Department of Medicine, University of Chieti, Italy. chiarelli@unich.it
Summary
Thyroid dysfunction is common in children with perinatal HIV-1 infection, with abnormalities appearing early and worsening with severe immunosuppression and high viral load. These thyroid changes precede clinical decline.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Perinatal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection can impact multiple organ systems.
- Thyroid function is crucial for growth and development in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate thyroid function in children with perinatal HIV-1 infection.
- To correlate thyroid abnormalities with clinical status, disease progression, and viral load.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 56 children with perinatal HIV-1 infection and 53 healthy controls.
- Measurement of various thyroid hormones (TT4, FT4, TT3, FT3, rT3, TSH) and related proteins (TG, TBG).
- Evaluation of thyroid autoantibodies.
Main Results:
- Children with HIV-1 infection showed significantly reduced TT3, TT4, FT4, and TG, and increased rT3, TBG, and TSH compared to controls.
- Thyroid dysfunction correlated with severe immunosuppression and high viral load.
- Thyroid abnormalities were detected early and worsened over time, preceding clinical deterioration.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid dysfunction is an early finding in perinatal HIV-1 infection.
- The severity of thyroid abnormalities is linked to immunosuppression and viral load.
- Thyroid function modifications may serve as an early indicator of disease progression in HIV-1 infected children.