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Published on: December 16, 2019
Clinical profile of HIV infection
R H Merchant1, J S Oswal, R V Bhagwat
1Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Acharya Dhonde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India. deandoc2000@yahoo.co.uk
Insights
Vertical transmission is the primary route of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children. Common clinical features include malnutrition, tuberculosis, and enlarged liver/spleen, with encephalopathy indicating a poor prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection poses significant health challenges in pediatric populations worldwide.
- Understanding the clinical profile and transmission routes is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the clinical characteristics and epidemiological patterns of HIV infection among children.
- To identify the primary modes of HIV transmission and common presenting symptoms in pediatric cases.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted at a pediatric tertiary care center in an urban setting.
- 285 HIV-positive children were enrolled, with HIV status confirmed by ELISA.
- Data collection included demographic information, transmission route, and clinical manifestations.
Main Results:
- Vertical transmission accounted for the majority of HIV infections (86.66%) in children.
- Protein energy malnutrition (44.56%) and tuberculosis (29.47%) were the most prevalent clinical features.
- Hepatomegaly, persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, and skin lesions were also common presenting signs.
Conclusions:
- Vertical transmission is the predominant mode of pediatric HIV infection.
- Clinical manifestations such as malnutrition, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy are characteristic.
- Tuberculosis is a major co-infection, and chronic lung disease and parotitis are notable features; encephalopathy is linked to adverse outcomes.
Objective:
To study the clinical profile of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children.
Design:
Prospective.
Setting:
HIV clinic at a pediatric tertiary care center in an urban metropolis.
Methods:
From August 1994 onwards, 285 HIV positive children were referred to the HIV clinic. These included those intramural deliveries born to HIV positive mothers, those referred from other centers with a positive HIV ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test and those screened routinely at our center in view of transfusion dependence and found to be HIV positive. After informed consent from either parent, the HIV status of all referred patients was retested by ELISA.
Results:
Two hundred and thirteen (74.73%) patients were below the age of five years. Vertical transmission as the route of infection was documented in 247 (86.66%), 33 (11.57%) were infected through blood and in 5 (1.75%), the mode of transmission could not be ascertained. The clinical features noted were protein energy malnutrition in 127 (44.56%), pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in 84 (29.47%), hepatosplenomegaly in 82 (28.77%), persistent generalized lymphadenopathy in 67 (23.50%), skin lesions in 63 (22.10%), chronic diarrhea in 43 (15.08%), oral thrush in 42 (14.73%), pyrexia of unknown origin in 36 (12.63%), chronic lung disease in 32 (11.22%), chronic hypertrophic parotitis in 27 (9.47%), chronic ottorrhea in 26 (9.12%), recurrent lower respiratory tract infection in 24 (8.42%), neurological manifestations of non-tuberculous origin in 13 (4.56%) and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in 11(3.88%). Forty-eight (16.84%) were asymptomatic, 30 (10.52%) died of AIDS during the study period and 39 (13.68%) have been lost to follow up.
Conclusion:
Vertical transmission was the commonest mode of infection. Perinatally infected children become symptomatic by five years of age. Protein energy malnutrition, hepatosplenomegaly and persistent generalized lymphadenopathy were common presenting features. Tuberculosis was the major co-infection. Chronic hypertrophic parotitis and chronic lung disease were distinguishing features of this study. Encephalopathy was associated with poor outcome.
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