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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
19:57
An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
Published on: March 30, 2014
Antiretroviral therapy in children: Indian experience.
1Department of Pediatrics, B.J. Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India. sanjaynatu@gmail.com
Indian Pediatrics
|May 31, 2007
Summary
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.
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