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PCR pattern of HIV-exposed infants in a tertiary hospital
1Department of Paediatrics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
Insights
Early infant diagnosis (EID) for HIV-exposed infants in Nigeria showed a low transmission rate of 1.8%. This study highlights the effectiveness of current interventions in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Early infant diagnosis (EID) is crucial for HIV-exposed infants, enabling timely antiretroviral treatment.
- The study addresses the need to understand HIV transmission patterns in infants in Nigeria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) patterns in HIV-exposed infants.
- To assess the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission in the study area.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year cross-sectional study conducted at Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
- HIV screening of pregnant women, confirmation via ELISA and Western Blot, and PCR testing for exposed infants at 6-8 weeks.
- Statistical analysis performed using SPSS version 20.0.
Main Results:
- Out of 6,578 deliveries, 163 infants were HIV-exposed (1.2:1 male to female ratio).
- Maternal Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) use was high: 54.0% before pregnancy, 39.0% during pregnancy.
- Only 1.8% of HIV-exposed infants tested positive via PCR; 85.3% of infants were breastfed.
Conclusions:
- Mother-to-child HIV transmission appears to be declining in the study area, with a 1.8% PCR positivity rate.
- The findings suggest that current interventions are effective in reducing HIV transmission.
- This pattern may be representative of other regions in Nigeria.
Introduction:
Early infant diagnosis (EID) provides a critical opportunity to strengthen follow-up of HIV-exposed children and early access to antiretroviral treatment. The study is designed to determine PCR pattern of HIV- exposed infants.
Methods:
A 2-year cross-sectional study at Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria. All pregnant women that presented to our ANC between January, 2011 and December, 2012 were screened for HIV; confirmation for seropositivity was from a positive ELISA and then a Western Blot assay. PCR was done for all the HIV-exposed babies at 6-8 weeks of age. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0.
Results:
Otal delivery was 6,578. One hundred and sixty three babies from 162 mothers were HIV-exposed; 88 males, 75 females, with male to female ratio of 1.2:1. Eighty eight (54.0%) of the mothers were on HAART before pregnancy; 63 (39.0%) commenced HAART during pregnancy while, 12 (7.0%) never received HAART. Three (1.8%) of the HIV-exposed babies had a positive PCR. One hundred and thirty nine babies (85.3%) were breast fed.
Conclusion:
Mother-to-child-transmission of HIV appears to be on the decline in the study area (1.8%), this probably, represents the pattern in other parts of the country.
