Njenga S, Nagelkerke N, Plummer F, Datta P, Ndinya-Achola J, Embree J; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 141 (abstract no. Mo.C.1493).
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. Fax: 204-783-5255. E-mail: Embree@bldgHSC.Lan1.UManitoba.CA.
Background and Objectives: Mother to child transmission of HIV-1 occurs in 15-40% of pregnancies. The natural history of HIV-1 in children is still largely unknown. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with mother-to-child transmission and the natural history of childhood HIV-1 infection. Methods: HIV-1 infected and a comparable number of uninfected control mothers were enrolled at a maternity clinic in Nairobi. Mothers and children were examined clinically and serologically and with CD4/CD8 counts 3 monthly for the first year and 6 monthly subsequently. Children born to seropositive mothers were classified as always infected, seroconverters or uninfected on the basis of their serostatus after 15 months of age or PCR results where available. Seroconverting children were those who lost then regained HIV-1 antibodies. Also 7 children born to 12 seroconverting mothers were classified as seroconverters. Results: 1615 children were available for analysis. The median survival of HIV-1 infected children was approximately 4-5 years. Weight and height in infected children diverged from both uninfected and control children. Anthropometric variables in seroconverting children converged to those of infected children. CD4 counts in all groups declined with age, but the level in infected children was significantly lower. CD8 counts in infected and seroconverting children were significantly higher than in uninfected and control children. Conclusions: Although progression among HIV-infected children is not rapid, mortality and developmental delay is substantial.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Antigens, CD4
- Body Height
- Body Weight
- Child
- HIV Antibodies
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- HIV-1
- Humans
- Kenya
- Mothers
- immunology
Other ID:
UI: 102217450
From Meeting Abstracts