Related Experiment Videos
Growth in haemophilic boys after HIV infection
K J Pasi1, M A Collins, A K Ewer
1Department of Haematology, Children's Hospital, Birmingham.
Insights
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection did not significantly alter growth patterns in older children. This study found no changes in height or weight after HIV seroconversion in a group of haemophilic boys.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Failure to thrive is a known issue in infants with congenital Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
- Limited data exists on the impact of HIV on growth in older children.
- This study investigates growth patterns in haemophilic boys post-HIV seroconversion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if HIV infection alters growth patterns in older children.
- To analyze changes in height and weight following HIV seroconversion in a cohort of haemophilic boys.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal growth assessment of 27 haemophilic boys with recorded HIV seroconversion (1981-1986).
- Analysis of height and weight data over a mean of 9.2 years, with a mean of 4.5 years post-seroconversion.
- Calculation of height standard deviation scores and weight-to-age ratios.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in height standard deviation scores were observed after HIV seroconversion.
- No significant alterations in the weight-to-age ratio were detected post-HIV seroconversion.
- Growth patterns remained stable in the studied group of boys following HIV infection.
Conclusions:
- HIV infection does not appear to significantly impact growth in older haemophilic boys.
- Continued monitoring is necessary to determine if advanced HIV disease affects growth.
- Findings suggest HIV's effect on growth may differ between infants and older children.
Abstract:
Although failure to thrive has been documented as a major problem in babies with congenital HIV infection, there is little information on whether HIV affects growth in older children who become infected with HIV. The growth of 27 haemophilic boys, in whom HIV seroconversion was recorded between 1981 and 1986, has been assessed to see if the pattern changed after seroconversion. Height and weight recordings were analysed over a mean period of 9.2 years with a mean duration from HIV seroconversion of 4.5 years (range 2 to 6 years). Height standard deviation scores and ratio of weight to 50th centile for chronological age were calculated. No significant change in growth pattern as judged by height and weight has been observed within this group of boys after HIV seroconversion. Growth assessment continues to be evaluated to see if further progression of HIV disease changes growth pattern in these boys.