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HIV-related mortality in Jamaican children

T Evans-Gilbert1, R B Pierre, J Steel-Duncan

  • 1Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay, Jamaica. traceye@cwjamaica.com

The West Indian Medical Journal
|July 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) significantly improved survival rates in Jamaican children with perinatally acquired HIV, particularly those with rapid disease progression, AIDS-defining illnesses, and orphan status.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • HIV/AIDS Research
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Pediatric HIV infection remains a significant global health challenge, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality.
  • Understanding survival factors in HIV-infected children is crucial for effective management and public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe HIV-related mortality in a cohort of Jamaican children.
  • To identify factors influencing survival in perinatally HIV-infected children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective descriptive study conducted from March 2003 to December 2005 at Cornwall Regional Hospital, Jamaica.
  • Analysis of demographic and clinical data for deceased and living HIV-infected children.
  • Comparison of survival factors between rapid and slow progressors.

Main Results:

  • Nine deaths (18% of 50 children) occurred due to HIV/AIDS-related causes.
  • Children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) had a lower mortality rate (30.78 per 100 person-years) compared to those not on HAART (48 per 100 person-years).
  • In rapid progressors, 95% on HAART survived, while 100% not receiving HAART died.

Conclusions:

  • HAART was the sole identified factor prolonging survival in HIV-infected children.
  • The benefits of HAART were most pronounced in rapid progressors, those with AIDS-defining illnesses, and orphans.
Abstract

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