Indications for HIV testing in paediatric surgical patients

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains a significant health concern in pediatric populations.
• Routine HIV testing in pediatric surgical patients is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
• Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) implements HIV testing when infection is suspected as a cause of illness or increased morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the prevalence of HIV infection among pediatric surgical patients.
• To identify common surgical conditions associated with HIV in children.
• To determine the indications for HIV testing in this patient group.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, descriptive analysis was conducted.
• Data was collected from children under 15 years old who underwent HIV testing between January 2001 and April 2004.
• Patient demographics, surgical conditions, and HIV test results were reviewed.

Main Results:

• A total of 279 children were tested, with a near-equal gender distribution (50.2% boys, 49.8% girls).
• The overall HIV prevalence in this cohort was 39.8%.
• Highest HIV prevalence was observed in cases of urogenital problems (51%), followed by head and neck swellings (39%), and sepsis (38%).

Conclusions:

• HIV infection is highly prevalent among pediatric surgical patients at QECH.
• Specific surgical presentations, including urogenital issues, head and neck swellings, and sepsis, are strongly associated with HIV.
• Targeted HIV testing in pediatric surgical settings is essential for early detection and intervention.