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[Study of 176 HIV-seropositive children in Santa Catarina State]
A P de Carvalho1, J M Barg, H M Vieira
1Infectologista Pediatra do Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão e Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.
Insights
This study analyzed characteristics of children with positive HIV tests in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Vertical transmission was the primary cause, with most cases concentrated in coastal areas, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Rising Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) incidence in Santa Catarina, Brazil, particularly affecting women and children.
- High prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in children necessitates understanding transmission dynamics and clinical presentations.
- Descriptive study conducted at Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Purpose:
- To characterize children in Santa Catarina, Brazil, who tested positive for HIV.
- To identify the primary modes of HIV transmission in pediatric cases within the region.
- To document the clinical manifestations and opportunistic infections in HIV-positive children.
Summary:
- A descriptive study of 176 children with positive HIV tests in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
- Vertical transmission accounted for 94.9% of cases; maternal HIV infection was linked to sexual transmission (46.1%) and injectable drug use (21.0%).
- Common symptoms included hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and recurrent infections; mucocutaneous candidiasis was the most frequent opportunistic infection.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the significant impact of vertical HIV transmission in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
- The study highlights a concentration of HIV infection in coastal areas with high rates of drug use and tourism.
- Results provide crucial data for public health strategies aimed at preventing pediatric HIV and managing infected children in the region.
Objective:
The incidence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has increased in Santa Catarina State in Brazil over the last years, with a high number of infected women and children. The purpose of this study was to establish the main characteristics of the children from this State whose HIV serologic tests were positive.
Methods:
This was a descriptive study of 176 children with positive serologic tests to HIV, conducted in the Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão, Florianópolis City, Santa Catarina State, Brazil.
Results:
Most of the children (105 cases, 59.6%) were born in Florianópolis, Capital of Santa Catarina State, and Itajaí (22 cases, 12.5%). Vertical transmission of HIV was observed in 167 patients (94.9%). Among 167 HIV-positive mothers, 77 (46.1%) of them acquired the virus by sexual transmission and 35 (21.0%) by use of injectable drugs. However, among 89 HIV-positive fathers, 63 (70.7%) of them used to take drugs. The average age of the HIV-positive children whose serologic tests became negative was 10.5 months. Among 103 symptomatic patients, 87 (84.5%) presented hepatomegaly, 81 (78.6%) lymphadenopathy, 66 (64.0%) splenomegaly, 59 (57.3%) skin bruises, 54 (52.4%) recurrent bronchopneumonia and 50 cases (48.5%) recurrent diarrhea. The most frequent opportunistic infection was mucocutaneous candidiasis that occurred in 41 children (39.8%).
Conclusions:
The characteristics were similar to those reported in the literature. A great concentration of HIV infected persons was observed in the coast area where there are three harbor towns, an elevated number of injectable drug users and presence of many tourists.
