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Published on: June 11, 2011
Pattern of pediatric HIV/AIDS: a five-year experience in a tertiary hospital
Ben Onankpa1, Lydia Airede, Ibitoye Paul
1Department of Paediatrics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria. benonankpa@yahoo.com
Insights
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV remains high in Nigerian children, contributing significantly to pediatric HIV/AIDS morbidity and mortality. Strengthening prevention of mother-to-child transmission and child protection against sexual abuse is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric HIV/AIDS presents a significant public health challenge globally.
- Understanding transmission, clinical presentation, and outcomes is vital for effective management.
- Nigeria faces a substantial burden of childhood HIV/AIDS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the mode of transmission, clinical presentation, and outcomes of pediatric HIV/AIDS.
- To analyze data from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
- To inform public health strategies for prevention and care.
Main Methods:
- A five-year retrospective study (January 2001-December 2005) of pediatric patients.
- Screening based on World Health Organization criteria.
- HIV confirmation using ELISA and Western blot assays.
Main Results:
- 8.3% of admitted children had HIV/AIDS, with a 36.3% mortality rate within this group.
- Mother-to-child transmission was the predominant route (94.5%).
- Common clinical features included fever, diarrhea, and respiratory infections; septicemia and ARTI were leading causes of death.
Conclusions:
- Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a persistent issue in the study area.
- Pediatric HIV/AIDS significantly contributes to childhood morbidity and mortality.
- Enhanced prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs and child protection advocacy are urgently needed.
Objectives:
to determine the mode of transmission, clinical presentation and the outcome in children with HIV/AIDS at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
Methodology:
a five-year retrospective study of children with HIV/AIDS from January 2001 to December 2005. Screening was based on World Health Organization criteria. Confirmation of HIV seropositivity was from a positive ELISA and then a western blot assay.
Results:
10,107 children were admitted over the said five-year period; 1,359 died, giving a mortality rate of 13.5%. Eight-hundred-forty (8.3%) of the admitted children had HIV/AIDS; 305 (36.3%) died. Mother-to-child transmission accounted for the highest mode of transmission, 794(94.5%). There were 44 (5.3%) cases of unidentified route of infection and two (0.2%) cases of sexual abuse in males aged 11 and 13 years. Fever (81.3%), diarrhea (75.0%), vomiting (41.4%), difficulty in breathing (39.8%) and refusal of feeds (39.8%) were the commonly encountered clinical features. Septicemia (49.5%) and acute respiratory tract infections (40.9%) were the major admitting diagnoses and major causes of deaths. Deaths from HIV infection accounted for 22.4% of the total deaths for the study period.
Conclusions:
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is still high in the area of study, and pediatric HIV/AIDS remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Present efforts to strengthen and sustain prevention of mother to child transmission are highly encouraged. Advocacy for protection of children against sexual abuse should be strengthened.
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