ABSTRACT
After one year of antiretroviral treatment in 49 HIV infected children compared to 53 children without, weight for age improved significantly and was highly correlated with baseline immune status and CD4% increase but height for age did not change. Stunting is a common feature of pediatric HIV, both on and off HAART.
Subject(s)
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/adverse effects , Growth Disorders/chemically induced , Growth Disorders/virology , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Anti-HIV Agents/adverse effects , Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Body Height , Body Mass Index , Body Weight , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Humans , India/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Transmission of HIV from mother to child can occur in utero, during labor or after delivery via breast feeding. Data on the fate of babies born with HIV in India are scarce. We present details of 25 infants with perinatally acquired HIV infection (virologically confirmed) to highlight the observed high rate of morbidity and mortality within the first 18 months of life. Our findings of rapid disease progression among perinatally infected HIV positive children underline the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
