Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
The pattern of paediatric HIV/AIDS as seen at the National Hospital Abuja Nigeria
O Oniyangi1, B Awani, K C Iregbu
1Department of Paediatrics, National Hospital, Abuja Nigeria. seyioniyangi@yahoo.co.uk
Insights
Paediatric HIV/AIDS is a major cause of childhood illness and death in Nigeria, primarily transmitted from mother to child. Improving prevention programs is crucial to reduce mortality rates in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Paediatric HIV/AIDS presents a significant public health challenge, contributing substantially to child mortality and morbidity.
- Understanding transmission patterns and clinical outcomes is vital for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transmission modes, clinical presentations, and hospital admission outcomes for children with Paediatric HIV/AIDS.
- To analyze the impact of Paediatric HIV/AIDS on mortality within a Nigerian hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of paediatric patients admitted with HIV/AIDS between January and December 2000.
- HIV diagnosis was based on WHO clinical criteria and laboratory confirmation (ELISA, Western Blot).
Main Results:
- Mother-to-child transmission was the predominant route (93.02%) in 43 admitted children, mostly infants.
- Common symptoms included fever, diarrhea, and respiratory distress; pneumonia and sepsis were leading causes of death.
- The mortality rate was 32.6%, with higher risk in children under two years and those with poor nutritional status.
Conclusions:
- Paediatric HIV/AIDS, primarily through mother-to-child transmission, is a major contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.
- Strengthening prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs and further research on pneumonia in HIV-positive children are recommended.
Background:
Paediatric HIV/AIDS has become a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in our environment.
Objectives:
The objective of this paper is to determine the mode of transmission, clinical presentations and outcome of hospital admissions in children with Paediatric HIV/AIDS at the National Hospital Abuja Nigeria.
Methods:
A retrospective study of children with Paediatric HIV/AIDS admitted into the hospital from January December 2000 was done. Screening for HIV infection was based on clinical criteria as recommended by WHO except in 3 children with previously diagnosed HIV seropositivity. One positive ELISA and one positive Western Blot assay diagnosed HIV seropositivity.
Results:
Forty-three HIV positive children aged six weeks to nine years (mean 16.5 months, SD 26.32) were admitted into the Paediatric unit (exclusive of the newborn unit) of the hospital, accounting for 5.7% of all admissions into the unit. There were 35 infants (81.4%). There were 18 males and 25 females (male: female ratio 1:0.72). The presumed modes of transmission were mother to child transmission 40(93.02%), blood transfusion 2 (4.6%) and an unidentified route 1 (2.3%). All parents were in the reproductive age group and there were 6 discordant couples identified (mother HIV positive, father HIV negative). Common presenting symptoms were fever 16 (37.2.8%), diarrhoea 13 (30.2%), difficult/fast breathing 12 (27.9%) and vomiting 8 (18.6%), while clinical signs were crepitations in the lungs 27 (62.7%), pallor 22 (51.2%), oral thrush 20 (46.5%), hepatomegaly 18 (41.9%), and dehydration 16 (37.2%). Admitting diagnoses were pneumonia 26 (60.5%), septicaemia 4 (9.3%), diarrhoea with dehydration, intestinal obstruction and malnutrition 2 (4.7%) each. There were 14 deaths (mortality rate 32.6%); accounting for 28.57% of total deaths in the paediatric unit during the period. Thirteen (13) (92.8%) deaths occurred in children aged 2 years old and below. The greatest contributors to mortality were pneumonia 10 (71.4%) and septicaemia 2 (14.3%). Poor nutritional status was associated (p<0.05) with increased mortality.
Conclusion:
The findings indicate that paediatric HIVAIDS occurs predominantly by mother to child transmission and constitutes a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality at the National Hospital Abuja Nigeria. We recommend intensification of efforts to implement the existing prevention of mother to child transmission programme and further evaluation ofpneumonia in HIV positive children.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections