Short communication: kidney dysfunction among HIV-infected children in Latin America and the Caribbean

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for managing HIV infection in children.
• Potential renal toxicity associated with ART necessitates ongoing safety monitoring.
• Understanding kidney health in perinatally HIV-infected children is vital for long-term care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and incidence of kidney dysfunction in perinatally HIV-infected children in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• To assess the renal safety of antiretroviral medications in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter cohort study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 1,032 perinatally HIV-infected children between 2002 and 2011.
• Kidney dysfunction was defined and monitored throughout the follow-up period.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of kidney dysfunction was low at 1.7% (95% CI: 1.0-2.6%).
• The incidence rate of kidney dysfunction was 0.17 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.04-0.30).
• These findings suggest a rare occurrence of kidney dysfunction in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Renal toxicity appears to be a rare complication in perinatally HIV-infected children receiving ART in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• The study supports the generally favorable renal safety profile of antiretroviral treatments in this vulnerable pediatric population.
• Continued surveillance is important to confirm these findings in diverse populations.