ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global pandemic affecting mostly sub-Saharan Africa. It is a multisystem disease. Cardiovascular involvement detected by electrocardiogram (ECG) has been described mostly in adult populations with few studies on children. In this study, the ECG findings of HIV-infected as against HIV-uninfected children were evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in two public hospitals in Benin City. Using convenience sampling, 200 each of HIV-positive children attending the HIV clinics of both hospitals and age- and sex-matched HIV-negative children attending follow-up clinics in the same hospitals were recruited. Biodata/sociodemographic information was obtained, while each participant underwent 12-channel ECG evaluation. RESULTS: The prevalence of abnormal ECG findings in HIV-positive children was 34.5% compared to 4.5% in HIV-negative children (P < 0.0001). The mean PR, QRS and QT intervals in the participants were 0.13 ± 0.02 s, 0.11 ± 0.15 s and 0.41 ± 0.03, respectively. They were statistically significantly longer than controls, 0.12 ± 0.02 s, 0.08 ± 0.09 s and 0.40 ± 0.02 s, respectively, P < 0.05, in each case. The prevalence of prolonged PR, QRS and QTc was significantly higher in the patients, 5%, 3.5% and 3.5%, respectively, than controls, 05, 0% and 0%, respectively (P < 0.05 in each case). CONCLUSION: A third of the HIV-infected children in the study had abnormal ECG changes. It is recommended that ECG be included in their routine management of HIV-positive children so as to better supervise the affected children, retard the deterioration and improve their quality of health.
