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Assessment of neurological soft signs in pediatric patients with HIV infection
Najla Eiman1, Rajesh Raman1, S N Mothi2
1Department of Psychiatry, JSS Medical College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Insights
Children with HIV, especially older ones, exhibit more neurological soft signs (NSSs) compared to healthy peers. This suggests potential HIV-associated neurological disorders in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) impacts children and adolescents significantly.
- Understanding HIV's effects on the developing brain is crucial for early intervention.
- Neurological soft signs (NSSs) can indicate underlying neuropsychological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess NSSs in pediatric HIV patients.
- To compare NSSs between HIV-infected children and healthy controls (HCs).
Main Methods:
- The Physical and Neurological Examination of Soft Signs (PANESS) scale was used.
- Forty-eight HIV-infected children (6-16 years) and 50 HCs were assessed.
- Data was analyzed using age- and gender-specific groups.
Main Results:
- Older HIV-infected children (13-16 years) showed significantly more NSSs than HCs.
- Specific deficits included gait errors, dysrhythmia, impersistence, and overflow.
- Differences were less pronounced in younger age groups.
Conclusions:
- Persistent NSSs in older HIV-infected children may indicate HIV-associated neurological disorder.
- Early detection and management of neurological complications are vital.
Background:
Children and adolescents comprise a significant proportion of people living with HIV. The effects of HIV on the growing brain have generated interest among researchers in this field. Deficits arising during this crucial phase of neuromaturation due to HIV infection need to be assessed and addressed. Neurological soft signs (NSSs) can act as a proxy marker for underlying neuropsychological deficits. The present study aims to study the NSSs in pediatric patients with HIV and compare with healthy controls (HCs).
Materials And Methods:
Forty-eight children aged between 6 and 16 years diagnosed with HIV were selected by purposive sampling, and the Physical and Neurological Examination of Soft Signs (PANESS) scale was applied. Fifty children matched by age and sex were recruited from a nearby school, and the PANESS scale was applied. Children were divided into age- and gender-specific groups. The outcome scores of cases and controls groups were compared.
Results:
Males and females aged 13-16 years with HIV showed more soft signs as compared to HCs, with respect to gait errors, dysrhythmia, impersistence, speed of repetitive and sequenced movements, overflow with gaits, overflow with sequenced movements, total overflow, and overflow in excess of age. The differences in scores were less marked in younger age groups among both the genders.
Conclusions:
The persistence of NSSs in older age group in HIV-infected children may point toward the presence of HIV-associated neurological disorder.
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