Indian Adolescent Living with HIV-AIDS: Current Clinical Scenario.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Adolescent Health
• Clinical Immunology

Background:

• HIV is increasingly affecting adolescents, necessitating distinct management strategies.
• Limited Indian data exists on HIV management in adolescents and young adults.
• This study addresses challenges in managing HIV-infected adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the relationship between CD4 count and duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART).
• Assess the impact of ART on body mass index (BMI).
• Identify adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in adolescent HIV patients.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 60 HIV-positive adolescents (12-19 years) on ART.
• Conducted at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, over one year.
• Excluded ART-naïve patients.

Main Results:

• Vertical transmission was the primary mode (80%).
• Significant increase in BMI (p <0.0001) and CD4 counts (295 to 630 cells/mm³).
• Common ADRs included anemia (Zidovudine), hepatitis (Nevirapine), and acute kidney injury (Tenofovir).

Conclusions:

• Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) shows efficacy in improving survival and CD4 counts in Indian adolescents.
• Longer HAART duration leads to greater CD4 count gains.
• Indian adolescents tolerate ART well, with lipodystrophy not being a major issue.