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Antiretroviral therapy in children: Indian experience

S A Natu1, S R Daga

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, B.J. Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India. sanjaynatu@gmail.com

Indian Pediatrics
|May 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Fixed-dose combination antiretroviral therapy is feasible and effective for treating pediatric HIV in resource-limited settings. This approach improved weight and CD4 counts in children, with minimal adverse events observed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • HIV/AIDS Treatment
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Limited data exists on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in pediatric populations.
  • Investigating the efficacy of fixed-dose combination (FDC) antiretrovirals is crucial for improving treatment accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a lamivudine, nevirapine, and stavudine FDC in HIV-infected children.
  • To evaluate clinical and immunological outcomes, adherence, and adverse events associated with FDC use.

Main Methods:

  • An interventional study conducted at a tertiary care center.
  • Twenty-five HIV-positive, antiretroviral-naive children over 18 months received weight-appropriate FDC doses for 6 months.
  • Assessed weight, CD4 counts, ALC, illness episodes, adherence, and barriers before and after treatment.

Main Results:

  • Significant increases in mean weight (15.2 to 16.8 kg) and CD4 counts (488 to 765/cmm) were observed (P < 0.001).
  • Only two drug-associated adverse events occurred, indicating good tolerability.
  • High follow-up visit attendance (95%) despite long travel distances (72 km one-way).

Conclusions:

  • Fixed-dose combination therapy in weight-specific dosages is a feasible and effective strategy for pediatric HIV treatment in resource-scarce settings.
  • These findings suggest FDC is a viable option for improving pediatric HIV management where resources are limited.
  • Further validation in diverse settings is recommended to confirm these preliminary results.
Abstract

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