[Evolution of hematological parameters in a group of children with human immunodeficiency virus infection - HIV 1]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evolution of clinical and hematological aspects of the children infected with HIV 1. METHODS: Using the CDC criteria, 1994, 37 children with HIV infection were selected, followed up at the Immunodeficiency Clinic at UNICAMP. The study is longitudinal descriptive. Complete blood count, ferritin, serum iron, TIBC and direct Coombs were carried out. RESULTS: The clinical category that predominated wasB(45.94%) and categories A and C were equal (27.03%). All of them were having antiretroviral therapy. Hypochromic and microcytic anemia were seen in 100% of patients up to 12 months of age. There was association between anemia and the progression of the disease, both clinical (p=0.031) and immunological (p=0.0027) and with lymphopenia too (p=0.033). Thrombocytopenia occurred in 10 to 25% of the patients. Low serical ferritin was seen in 2.7% of the cases and low serum iron in 11.1%. All the 15 patients analyzed had negative Coombs test. There was weight and height reduction in 23.5 to 45% of the children and 70.3% had clinical manifestations up to 9 months of age. During the follow up 13.2% of the patients died. CONCLUSIONS: There was association between anemia and lymphopenia with the progression of the disease. In relation to the aetiology of the anemia, about 10% can be considered anemia of chronic disease. Probably the hematological abnormalities seen in peripheral blood are the consequences of loss of control of cellular death mechanism and hematopoiesis in individuals infected by HIV 1.