Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Identification of EcoHIV-Infected Cells in Microglia-Manipulated Transgenic Mice
Published on: December 20, 2024
Characterization of cognitive functioning in a subgroup of children with congenital HIV infection
G W Diamond1, J Kaufman, A L Belman
1Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Insights
Congenital human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children can cause specific cognitive and neurological impairments, even when clinically stable. These patterns, including visual-spatial deficits, persist over time and differ from those in uninfected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Congenital human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection impacts child development.
- Neurological and cognitive sequelae in children with HIV require further characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cognitive and neurological status of clinically stable children with congenital HIV.
- To identify specific patterns of neurocognitive impairment in this population.
Main Methods:
- Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC) was used to evaluate cognitive status.
- Standard neurological examinations assessed motor function, tone, and gait.
- Participants included 12 children (ages 3-9) with congenital HIV, some with AIDS-related conditions (ARC) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Main Results:
- 50% of children showed greater impairment in visual-spatial skills than in abstract reasoning or verbal abilities.
- Cognitive functioning varied, with 2 mild, 6 borderline, and 4 average intelligence scores.
- Neurological examinations revealed abnormal development, poor fine motor skills, abnormal tone/gait, and impaired rapid alternating movements in 9 subjects.
- Impaired information processing patterns were observed irrespective of overall cognitive status.
Conclusions:
- Children with congenital HIV exhibit selective neurocognitive deficits, particularly in visual-spatial functioning, even during stable disease phases.
- These distinct patterns of impairment persist over time and differ from children without HIV.
- Similarities exist between HIV-affected children and those with cerebral palsy, suggesting shared neurological pathways or impacts.
Abstract:
The cognitive status of 12 clinically stable children with congenital HIV infection, nine of whom were neurologically impaired, age three to nine years, was assessed using the Kaufman ABC test. Seven of the children had ARC; five were diagnosed as having AIDS. The same children were evaluated by standard neurologic examinations with Characterization of tone and fine motor functioning. Two were diagnosed as being mildly retarded; six were borderline; and four tested as being of average intelligence. Visual-spatial perceptual based functioning was found to be more impaired than were abstract reasoning and verbally mediated skills in six (50%) of the patients. This pattern of impaired information processing was found irrespective of overall cognitive status. On neurological and physiatric examination abnormal developmental histories were obtained, or poor fine motor coordination, abnormal tone and gait, and impaired rapidly alternating movements were found in 9 of the 12 subjects. These findings suggest selective impairment in distinct areas of neurologic and neuropsychological functioning during stable phases of HIV infection in a select group of children. These patterns appear to persist over time. They differ from the clustering of impaired skills seen in children of comparable socio-cultural backgrounds without HIV infection. Similarities in functioning are noted between this subgroup of children with AIDS and ARC and comparable groups with cerebral palsy.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
01:27Language and Cognition
01:30Information Processing Approach
01:29Intellectual Disability
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...