Physical functioning in adolescents with perinatal HIV

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Adolescent Health
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Perinatal HIV infection can lead to long-term physical impairments extending into adolescence.
• Limited data exists on the full spectrum of physical functioning in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIVA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physical sequelae of perinatal HIV infection in adolescents.
• To compare physical functioning between PHIVA and HIV-negative adolescents.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study in South Africa comparing 147 PHIVA with 102 HIV-negative adolescents (aged 10-16 years).
• Assessment included anthropometry, muscle strength, endurance, and motor performance (manual dexterity, balance, aiming/catching).

Main Results:

• PHIVA demonstrated significant deficits in height, weight, and BMI compared to controls, even with viral suppression.
• No significant differences were found in muscle strength or endurance between groups.
• PHIVA scored significantly lower in manual dexterity and balance, with a higher prevalence of motor difficulties.

Conclusions:

• PHIVA face persistent growth deficits and challenges in motor performance, particularly affecting manual dexterity and balance.
• These findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and targeted interventions for physical well-being in PHIVA.
• Viral suppression was linked to better muscle strength, while age influenced endurance and aiming/catching skills.