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Published on: October 6, 2016
Acute extrapyramidal dysfunction in two HIV-infected children
Regan Solomons1, Amy Slogrove, Johan Schoeman
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. regan@sun.ac.za
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy can cause severe movement disorders in children, affecting the basal ganglia. Early diagnosis and monitoring using MRI are crucial for managing these neurological complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Basal ganglia involvement is common in pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy, often associated with calcification.
- While HIV proteins are found in affected basal ganglia, extrapyramidal dysfunction is less frequent in children than adults.
Observation:
- This study details two HIV-infected children presenting with acute, severe extrapyramidal dysfunction.
- Clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and outcomes were documented for these cases.
Findings:
- The cases underscore the link between immune status, opportunistic infections, and the manifestation of movement disorders in HIV-infected children.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is vital for assessing severity and predicting outcomes of neurological complications.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of comprehensive assessment, including HIV testing for children of infected mothers.
- Emphasizes the role of MRI in evaluating and anticipating outcomes of movement disorders in pediatric HIV.
- Suggests that immune competence and co-infections significantly influence the presentation of neurological symptoms.
Abstract:
Involvement of the basal ganglia is well documented in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy, often with calcification. High concentrations of HIV protein have been detected in affected basal ganglia, although extrapyramidal dysfunction, in contrast to adults, is infrequently encountered in HIV-infected children. We describe the clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging appearance and outcome of two HIV-infected children who presented with acute debilitating extrapyramidal dysfunction. The cases highlight the importance of immune competence, co-existence of opportunistic infections, HIV testing of all children of HIV-infected mothers and magnetic resonance imaging when assessing the severity and anticipating outcomes of movement disorders in HIV-infected children.
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