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Cardiac dysfunction in HIV infected children: a pilot study.
Ira Shah1, S S Prabhu, Sumitra V
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric HIV Clinic, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Acharya Dhonde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India. irashah86@hotmail.com
Indian Pediatrics
|March 16, 2005
Summary
Cardiac abnormalities are common in HIV-positive children, even those without symptoms. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy in a significant number of children, highlighting the need for cardiac monitoring in pediatric HIV.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can affect multiple organ systems.
- Cardiac involvement is a known complication of HIV, but data in asymptomatic children is limited.
- Early detection of cardiac abnormalities is crucial for managing pediatric HIV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in HAART-naive, asymptomatic HIV-positive children.
- To identify specific echocardiographic findings associated with HIV infection in this age group.
- To assess the utility of echocardiography in detecting subclinical cardiac dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 26 perinatally HIV-infected children (age 1-9 years), naive to HAART and asymptomatic for cardiac disease, underwent echocardiography.
- Children were classified according to the revised CDC classification for HIV infection.
- Echocardiographic parameters were analyzed to detect structural and functional cardiac abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Echocardiographic abnormalities were detected in 20 (76.9%) of the children.
- Left ventricular dilatation and left ventricular hypertrophy were the most common findings, each present in 10 (38.5%) patients.
- Children in CDC category B showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of abnormal echocardiographic findings.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac abnormalities are prevalent in asymptomatic, HAART-naive HIV-positive children.
- Echocardiography is a valuable tool for identifying subclinical cardiac dysfunction in pediatric HIV.
- Routine cardiac screening with echocardiography should be considered in the management of HIV-infected children.