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Lack of evidence for craniofacial dysmorphism in perinatal human immunodeficiency virus infection
Q H Qazi1, T M Sheikh, S Fikrig
1Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn.
Insights
Perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children can lead to growth failure and microcephaly. However, this study found no characteristic craniofacial features or dermatoglyphic differences in HIV-exposed children compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection poses significant health challenges for children.
- Previous research suggested potential physical and neurological developmental issues in HIV-exposed infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate physical development, including growth, head size, and dysmorphism, in children perinatally exposed to HIV.
- To compare craniofacial features and dermatoglyphics between HIV-exposed children and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 30 perinatally HIV-exposed children and 30 matched healthy controls were assessed.
- Evaluations included measurements of growth, head circumference, craniofacial features, and dermatoglyphics.
- Children were classified according to HIV infection severity (CDC groups II, III, and IV).
Main Results:
- Significant postnatal growth failure (46.7%) and microcephaly (30%) were observed in HIV-exposed children.
- These findings were potentially linked to chronic illnesses and central nervous system lesions.
- No significant differences were found in craniofacial features or dermatoglyphics between HIV-exposed children and controls.
- The incidence of other anomalies was not higher than expected in the general population.
- Maternal drug use did not correlate with observed physical criteria.
Conclusions:
- While growth failure and microcephaly are concerns in perinatally HIV-exposed children, characteristic craniofacial dysmorphism was not confirmed.
- Physical evaluations should consider the impact of chronic illness and neurological involvement in HIV-infected children.
- Further research may be needed to understand the full spectrum of physical manifestations in this population.
Abstract:
Thirty children perinatally exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and 30 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, and race were evaluated for growth, head size, craniofacial dysmorphism, dermatoglyphics, and other physical features. Thirteen patients met the criteria for group IV (constitutional, neurologic, and secondary infectious diseases), 14 for group III (persistent generalized lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly), and three for group II (asymptomatic infection) of the classification of HIV infection established by the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta. Postnatal growth failure and microcephaly, observed in a significant proportion of patients (46.7% and 30%, respectively), could be attributed to chronic illnesses and to progressive central nervous system lesions in HIV-infected patients. There were however, no significant differences between patients and controls with regard to the incidence of craniofacial features and dermatoglyphics, and the incidence of other anomalies was not different from that expected in the population. The patients born to drug-using mothers were not different from those born to non-drug-using mothers in relation to the studied criteria. We could not confirm the presence of characteristic craniofacial dysmorphism in children exposed to perinatal HIV infection.