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Case study: behavioral symptoms of pediatric HIV-1 encephalopathy successfully treated with clonidine
M Ceseña1, D O Lee, A M Cebollero
1Psychopharmacology Clinic, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Insights
Behavioral changes like impulsivity and aggression in children with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) may signal early brain involvement. Clonidine treatment helped manage these symptoms in one pediatric case.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Limited data exists on the behavioral symptoms of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection.
- Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a known complication of HIV-1, but its initial presentation in children is underreported.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) presented with sudden behavioral changes.
- Symptoms included impulsivity, hyperactivity, insomnia, and aggressive behavior.
- These manifestations were the first signs of CNS involvement.
Findings:
- The observed clinical picture suggested HIV-1 encephalopathy as an initial presentation.
- The child's behavioral symptoms significantly improved with clonidine treatment.
- This highlights a potential therapeutic option for managing similar cases.
Implications:
- Early recognition of behavioral changes is crucial for diagnosing CNS involvement in pediatric HIV-1.
- HIV-1 encephalopathy may present with behavioral symptoms in young children.
- Clonidine shows promise in managing behavioral disturbances associated with pediatric HIV-1 CNS disease.
Abstract:
There are few reports of the behavioral manifestations in the pediatric population infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We report a case of a 4-year-old child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, whose initial manifestation of central nervous system involvement consisted of sudden onset of impulsivity, hyperactivity, initial insomnia, and aggressive behavior. This clinical picture may suggest an initial presentation of HIV-1 encephalopathy. Clonidine was helpful in ameliorating these behaviors.