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Sirajee R, Conroy AL, Namasopo S, Opoka RO, Lavoie S, Forgie S, Salami BO, Hawkes MT. Growth Faltering and Developmental Delay in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Ugandan Infants: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 87:730-740. [PMID: 33819206 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) infants are at increased risk of impaired early linear growth and cognitive development. We examined associations between prenatal and postnatal growth and subsequent neurodevelopment in Ugandan HEU infants, hypothesizing that early insults may explain alterations in both somatic growth and brain development. METHODS We prospectively followed a cohort of HEU infants from birth to 18 months of age, and measured length/height, weight, head, and arm circumference longitudinally. The Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT, 12 and 18 months) and the Color Object Association Test (18 months) were used for developmental assessments. RESULTS Among 170 HEU infants, the prevalence of low-birth weight and failure to thrive was 7.6% and 37%, respectively. HEU infants had MDAT scores that were similar to the reference population. The mean (SD) score on the Color Object Association Test was 5.5 (3.1) compared with 6.9 (5.3) in developmentally normal children. Developmental ability at age 18 months showed strong cross-sectional correlation with weight-for-age (ρ = 0.36, P < 0.0001), length/height-for-age (ρ = 0.41, P < 0.0001), head circumference-for-age (ρ = 0.26, P = 0.0011), and mid-upper arm circumference-for-age (ρ = 0.34, P = 0.0014). There was a statistically significant correlation between birth weight and MDAT z-score at 18 months (ρ = 0.20, P = 0.010). Failure to thrive was associated with lower MDAT z-score [median -0.13 (IQR -0.75 to +0.14) versus +0.14 (IQR -0.44 to +0.63), P = 0.042]. CONCLUSION Growth faltering in HEU infants was associated with lower attainment of developmental milestones at age 18 months. Our findings point to a simple screening method for identifying HEU infants at risk for developmental intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshma Sirajee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Andrea L Conroy
- Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Sophie Namasopo
- Department of Paediatrics, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Robert O Opoka
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Mulago Hospital and Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stephanie Lavoie
- National Laboratory for HIV Reference Services (NLHRS), National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Sarah Forgie
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Bukola O Salami
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute; and
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Michael T Hawkes
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute; and
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Distinguished Researcher, Stollery Science Lab
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Ewing AC, King CC, Wiener JB, Chasela CS, Hudgens MG, Kamwendo D, Tegha G, Hosseinipour MC, Jamieson DJ, Van der Horst C, Kourtis AP. Effects of concurrent exposure to antiretrovirals and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis among HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. AIDS 2017; 31:2455-2463. [PMID: 28926409 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000001641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the potential of cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) to prevent bacterial and malarial infections in HIV-exposed, uninfected (HEU) infants, it is important to evaluate the effects of its concurrent use with antiretroviral agents that have overlapping toxicity profiles. METHODS We used data from the Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals, and Nutrition study (2004-2010) to evaluate the association of CPT and antiretrovirals with hematologic measures (hemoglobin, neutrophil, and alanine aminotransferase levels) from 6 to 48 weeks of age in 2006 HEU infants in Lilongwe, Malawi. Hazards of severe outcomes (anemia, neutropenia, and elevated alanine aminotransferase), as defined by the National Institutes of Health, were compared using Cox regression models, according to time-varying CPT (implemented June 2006), antiretroviral treatment arm (maternal triple antiretroviral, infant nevirapine, or none during 6 months of breastfeeding), and their interaction. The effects of these treatments on hemoglobin, neutrophil, and alanine aminotransferase levels were assessed using linear mixed models. RESULTS In Cox models, CPT was associated with an increase in severe neutropenia [hazard ratio 1.97 (1.01, 3.86)] and a decrease in severe anemia (hazard ratio 0.65 (0.48, 0.88)]. Interactions between CPT and antiretroviral treatment were not significant. By 36 weeks, there was a significant association of CPT with increased hemoglobin levels regardless of antiretroviral drug exposure. CONCLUSIONS In addition to expected associations with increased hazard of severe neutropenia and decreased neutrophil count, CPT was associated with reduced hazard of severe anemia and higher infant blood hemoglobin. This provides further support for CPT use in HEU infants in malaria-endemic resource-limited settings where anemia is prevalent.
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Kamuhabwa AA, Gordian R, Mutagonda RF. Implementation of co-trimoxazole preventive therapy policy for malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women in the public health facilities in Tanzania. Drug Healthc Patient Saf 2016; 8:91-100. [PMID: 28008284 PMCID: PMC5167525 DOI: 10.2147/dhps.s119073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2011, Tanzania adopted a policy for provision of daily co-trimoxazole prophylaxis to HIV-infected pregnant women for prevention of malaria and other opportunistic infections. As per the policy, HIV-infected pregnant women should not be given sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for intermittent preventive therapy. The challenges associated with this policy change and the extent to which the new policy for prevention of malaria in pregnant women coinfected with HIV was implemented need to be assessed. Aim To assess the implementation of malaria-preventive therapy policy among HIV-infected pregnant women in the public health facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methodology The study was conducted in Kinondoni Municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from January 2015 to July 2015. Three hundred and fifty-three HIV-infected pregnant women who were attending antenatal clinics (ANCs) and using co-trimoxazole for prevention of malaria were interviewed. Twenty-six health care workers working at the ANCs were also interviewed regarding provision of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis to pregnant women. A knowledge scale was used to grade the level of knowledge of health care providers. Focus group discussions were also conducted with 18 health care workers to assess the level of implementation of the policy and the challenges encountered. Results Twenty-three (6.5%) pregnant women with known HIV serostatus were using co-trimoxazole for prevention of opportunistic infections even before they became pregnant. Out of the 353 HIV-infected pregnant women, eight (2.5%) were coadministered with both SP and co-trimoxazole. Sixty (16.7%) pregnant women had poor adherence to co-trimoxazole prophylaxis. Out of the 26 interviewed health care providers, 20 had high level of knowledge regarding malaria-preventive therapy in HIV-infected pregnant women. Lack of adequate supply of co-trimoxazole in health facilities and inadequate training of health care providers were among the factors causing poor implementation of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis for prevention of malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women. Conclusion There is a need to continue sensitization of pregnant women and communities about the importance of early attendance to the ANCs for testing of HIV and provision of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis. Availability of co-trimoxazole in the health facilities, regular training, and sensitization of health care providers are necessary for effective implementation of this policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Appolinary Ar Kamuhabwa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Richard Gordian
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ritah F Mutagonda
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Homsy J, Dorsey G, Arinaitwe E, Wanzira H, Kakuru A, Bigira V, Muhindo M, Kamya MR, Sandison TG, Tappero JW. Protective efficacy of prolonged co-trimoxazole prophylaxis in HIV-exposed children up to age 4 years for the prevention of malaria in Uganda: a randomised controlled open-label trial. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2015; 2:e727-36. [PMID: 25433628 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(14)70329-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND WHO recommends daily co-trimoxazole for children born to HIV-infected mothers from 6 weeks of age until breastfeeding cessation and exclusion of HIV infection. We have previously reported on the effectiveness of continuation of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis up to age 2 years in these children. We assessed the protective efficacy and safety of prolonging co-trimoxazole prophylaxis until age 4 years in HIV-exposed children. METHODS We undertook an open-label randomised controlled trial alongside two observational cohorts in eastern Uganda, an area with high HIV prevalence, malaria transmission intensity, and antifolate resistance. We enrolled HIV-exposed infants between 6 weeks and 9 months of age and prescribed them daily co-trimoxazole until breastfeeding cessation and HIV-status confirmation. At the end of breastfeeding, children who remained HIV-uninfected were randomly assigned (1:1) to discontinue co-trimoxazole or to continue taking it up to age 2 years. At age 2 years, children who continued co-trimoxazole prophylaxis were randomly assigned (1:1) to discontinue or continue prophylaxis from age 2 years to age 4 years. The primary outcome was incidence of malaria (defined as the number of treatments for new episodes of malaria diagnosed with positive thick smear) at age 4 years. For additional comparisons, we observed 48 HIV-infected children who took continuous co-trimoxazole prophylaxis and 100 HIV-unexposed uninfected children who never received prophylaxis. We measured grade 3 and 4 serious adverse events and hospital admissions. All children were followed up to age 5 years and all analyses were by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00527800. FINDINGS 203 HIV-exposed infants were enrolled between Aug 10, 2007, and March 28, 2008. After breastfeeding ended, 185 children were not infected with HIV and were randomly assigned to stop (n=87) or continue (n=98) co-trimoxazole up to age 2 years. At age 2 years, 91 HIV-exposed children who had remained on co-trimoxazole prophylaxis were randomly assigned to discontinue (n=46) or continue (n=45) co-trimoxazole from age 2 years to age 4 years. We recorded 243 malaria episodes (2·91 per person-years) in the 45 HIV-exposed children assigned to continue co-trimoxazole until age 4 years compared with 503 episodes (5·60 per person-years) in the 46 children assigned to stop co-trimoxazole at age 2 years (incidence rate ratio 0·53, 95% CI 0·39-0·71; p< 0·0001). There was no evidence of malaria incidence rebound in the year after discontinuation of co-trimoxazole in the HIV-exposed children who stopped co-trimoxazole at age 2 years, but incidence increased significantly in HIV-exposed children who stopped co-trimoxazole at age 4 years (odds ratio 1·78, 95% CI 1·19-2·66; p= 0·005). Incidence of grade 3 or 4 serious adverse events, hospital admissions, or deaths did not significantly differ between HIV-exposed, HIV-unexposed, and HIV-infected children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaco Homsy
- Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Entebbe, Uganda.
| | - Grant Dorsey
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Abel Kakuru
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Victor Bigira
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mary Muhindo
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University Medical School, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Jordan W Tappero
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Entebbe, Uganda; Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Widen EM, Bentley ME, Chasela CS, Kayira D, Flax VL, Kourtis AP, Ellington SR, Kacheche Z, Tegha G, Jamieson DJ, van der Horst CM, Allen LH, Shahab-Ferdows S, Adair LS. Antiretroviral Treatment Is Associated With Iron Deficiency in HIV-Infected Malawian Women That Is Mitigated With Supplementation, but Is Not Associated With Infant Iron Deficiency During 24 Weeks of Exclusive Breastfeeding. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2015; 69:319-28. [PMID: 25723140 PMCID: PMC4506710 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In resource-limited settings without safe alternatives to breastfeeding, the WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding and antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis. Given the high prevalence of anemia among HIV-infected women, mothers and their infants (through fetal iron accretion) may be at risk of iron deficiency. We assessed the effects of maternal micronutrient-fortified lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) and maternal ARV treatment or infant ARV prophylaxis on maternal and infant iron status during exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 24 weeks. METHODS The Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals, and Nutrition study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 2004 to 2010. HIV-infected mothers (CD4 >200 cells/μL) and their infants were randomly assigned to 28-week interventions: maternal LNS/maternal ARV (n = 424), maternal LNS/infant ARV (n = 426), maternal LNS (n = 334), maternal ARV (n = 425), infant ARV (n = 426), or control (n = 334). Longitudinal models tested intervention effects on hemoglobin (Hb). In a subsample (n = 537) with multiple iron indicators, intervention effects on Hb, transferrin receptors (TfR), and ferritin were tested with linear and Poisson regression. RESULTS In longitudinal models, LNS effects on maternal and infant Hb were minimal. In subsample mothers, maternal ARVs were associated with tissue iron depletion (TfR >8.3 mg/L) (risk ratio: 3.1, P < 0.01), but not in ARV-treated mothers receiving LNS (P = 0.17). LNS without ARVs was not associated with iron deficiency or anemia (P > 0.1). In subsample infants, interventions were not associated with impaired iron status (all P > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS Maternal ARV treatment with protease inhibitors is associated with maternal tissue iron depletion; but LNS mitigates adverse effects. ARVs do not seem to influence infant iron status; however, extended use needs to be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Widen
- *Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; †Department of Nutrition, University of Witwatersrand, Parktown, South Africa; ‡Faculty of Health Sciences,UNC Project, Lilongwe, Malawi; §Division of Reproductive Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; and #US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA
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Njuguna I, Reilly M, Jaoko W, Gichuhi C, Ambler G, Maleche-Obimbo E, Lohman-Payne B, Hanke T, John-Stewart G. Infant Neutropenia Associated with Breastfeeding During Maternal Antiretroviral Treatment for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV. RETROVIROLOGY : RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2014; 6:1-5. [PMID: 31708646 PMCID: PMC6839413 DOI: 10.4137/rrt.s13267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Maternal antiretroviral treatment (ART) is recommended for prevention of mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission (PMTCT), including in women with high CD4+ cell counts. Within a pediatric HIV-1 vaccine trial PedVacc 002, we assessed hematologic profiles of infants born to mothers receiving ART. All mothers had CD4+ cell counts of >350 mm−3; 93% received zidovudine-containing ART; infants received nevirapine up to 6 weeks and cotrimoxazole after 6 weeks. Among 84 infants at 19 weeks, 58% had hematologic toxicity; 44% had neutropenia and 23% had anemia. Breastfeeding was associated with 3.8-fold higher risk of neutropenia (RR 3.8, 95% CI 1.03–14.1, p = 0.008). Hematologic monitoring and PMTCT regimen selection are important for optimizing infant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Njuguna
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marie Reilly
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Walter Jaoko
- Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI), Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Christine Gichuhi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gwen Ambler
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Tomáš Hanke
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Departments of Global Health, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Dryden-Peterson S, Jayeoba O, Hughes MD, Jibril H, McIntosh K, Modise TA, Asmelash A, Powis KM, Essex M, Shapiro RL, Lockman S. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and risk of severe anemia or severe neutropenia in HAART-exposed, HIV-uninfected infants. PLoS One 2013; 8:e74171. [PMID: 24086319 PMCID: PMC3781096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prophylactic cotrimoxazole is recommended for infants born to HIV-infected mothers. However, cotrimoxazole may increase the risk of severe anemia or neutropenia. Methods We compared the proportion of HIV-exposed uninfected (HIV-EU) infants experiencing incident severe anemia (and separately, severe neutropenia) between a prospective cohort receiving prophylactic cotrimoxazole from 1 to 6 months vs. infants from two prior trials who did not receive cotrimoxazole. Infants were from rural and urban communities in southern Botswana. Results A total of 1705 HIV-EU infants were included. Among these 645 (37.8%) were fed with iron-supplemented formula from birth. Severe anemia developed in 87 (5.1%) infants, and severe neutropenia in 164 (9.6%) infants. In an analysis stratified by infant feeding method, there were no significant differences in the risk of severe anemia by prophylactic cotrimoxazole exposure–risk difference, −0.69% (95% confidence interval [CI] −2.1 to 0.76%). Findings were similar in multivariable analysis, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.35 (95% CI 0.07 to 1.65). There were also no significant differences observed for severe neutropenia by cotrimoxazole exposure, risk difference 2.0% (95% CI −1.3 to 5.2%) and aOR 0.80 (95% CI 0.33 to 1.93). Conclusions Severe anemia and severe neutropenia were infrequent among HIV-exposed uninfected infants receiving cotrimoxazole from 1–6 months of age. Concerns regarding hematologic toxicity should not limit the use of prophylactic cotrimoxazole in HIV-exposed uninfected infants. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Numbers NCT01086878 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01086878), NCT00197587 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00197587), and NCT00270296 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00270296).
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Dryden-Peterson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Michael D. Hughes
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Haruna Jibril
- Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Kenneth McIntosh
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Taolo A. Modise
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Aida Asmelash
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Kathleen M. Powis
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Max Essex
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Roger L. Shapiro
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Shahin Lockman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Dow A, Kayira D, Hudgens M, Van Rie A, King CC, Ellington S, Kourtis A, Turner AN, Meshnick S, Kacheche Z, Jamieson DJ, Chasela C, van der Horst C. Effects of cotrimoxazole prophylactic treatment on adverse health outcomes among HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2012; 31:842-7. [PMID: 22801093 PMCID: PMC3914144 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0b013e31825c124a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization guidelines recommend cotrimoxazole prophylactic treatment (CPT) for all HIV-exposed infants from age 6 weeks to the cessation of breastfeeding and the exclusion of HIV infection. There are limited data on the effects of CPT among this population of infants. We examined the effects of CPT on adverse health outcomes among HIV-exposed infants during the first 36 weeks of life using data from the Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals and Nutrition study, a large clinical trial of antiretroviral drugs given to the mother or infant for the prevention of HIV transmission during breastfeeding. METHODS For the analysis, we assigned a status of CPT-exposed to infants who were participating in the study after the CPT program started. We estimated unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios for the effect of CPT status on time to incident malaria, severe illness or death, anemia, and weight-for-age Z score < -2.0. Participation in the study was limited to focus exclusively on HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. RESULTS The hazard ratio for the effect of CPT on incident malaria was 0.35 (95% confidence interval: 0.21, 0.57) during the first 10 weeks of CPT exposure and 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.67, 1.29) for the remaining 20 weeks. CPT was not associated with the other outcomes examined. CONCLUSIONS CPT offered temporary protection against malaria among HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. However, CPT offered no protection against anemia, low weight for age or the collapsed outcome of severe illness or death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dow
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA.
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