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Bulterys MA, Njuguna I, Mahy M, Gulaid LA, Powis KM, Wedderburn CJ, John-Stewart G. Neurodevelopment among children exposed to HIV and uninfected in sub-Saharan Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26 Suppl 4:e26159. [PMID: 37909232 PMCID: PMC10618877 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The population of 16 million children exposed to HIV and uninfected (CHEU) under 15 years of age continues to expand rapidly, and the estimated prevalence of CHEU exceeds 20% in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa with high HIV prevalence. Some evidence suggests that CHEU experience suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to children born to women without HIV. In this commentary, we discuss the latest research on biologic and socio-behavioural factors associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes among CHEU. DISCUSSION Some but not all studies have noted that CHEU are at risk of poorer neurodevelopment across multiple cognitive domains, most notably in language and motor skills, in diverse settings, ages and using varied assessment tools. Foetal HIV exposure can adversely influence infant immune function, structural brain integrity and growth trajectories. Foetal exposure to antiretrovirals may also influence outcomes. Moreover, general, non-CHEU-specific risk factors for poor neurodevelopment, such as preterm birth, food insecurity, growth faltering and household violence, are amplified among CHEU; addressing these factors will require multi-factorial solutions. There is a need for rigorous harmonised approaches to identify children at the highest risk of delay. In high-burden HIV settings, existing maternal child health programmes serving the general population could adopt structured early child development programmes that educate healthcare workers on CHEU-specific risk factors and train them to conduct rapid neurodevelopmental screening tests. Community-based interventions targeting parent knowledge of optimal caregiving practices have shown to be successful in improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in children and should be adapted for CHEU. CONCLUSIONS CHEU in sub-Saharan Africa have biologic and socio-behavioural factors that may influence their neurodevelopment, brain maturation, immune system and overall health and wellbeing. Multidisciplinary research is needed to disentangle complex interactions between contributing factors. Common environmental and social risk factors for suboptimal neurodevelopment in the general population are disproportionately magnified within the CHEU population, and it is, therefore, important to draw on existing knowledge when considering the socio-behavioural pathways through which HIV exposure could impact CHEU neurodevelopment. Approaches to identify children at greatest risk for poor outcomes and multisectoral interventions are needed to ensure optimal outcomes for CHEU in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Bulterys
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Irene Njuguna
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Laurie A Gulaid
- UNICEF, eastern and southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Katheen M Powis
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Deichsel EL, John-Stewart GC, Walson JL, Mbori-Ngacha D, Richardson BA, Guthrie BL, Farquhar C, Bosire R, Pavlinac PB. Examining the relationship between diarrhea and linear growth in Kenyan HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235704. [PMID: 32716913 PMCID: PMC7384652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diarrhea in infancy can compromise linear growth and this relationship is likely influenced by diarrhea severity, number of episodes, and the timing of those episodes. HIV exposed, uninfected infants (HEU) have higher risk of growth faltering, infectious morbidity and mortality than HIV-unexposed infants and may be representative of children particularly vulnerable to diarrhea-associated linear growth faltering. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We utilized data from a cohort of Kenyan HEU infants followed from birth to 12 months of age. Infant length and morbidity were ascertained at monthly study visits and sick visits. Longitudinal models estimated the association between diarrhea severity and length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) in the following month, at 12 months of age, and in 6-month intervals. The 372 enrolled infants experienced an average of 2.15 episodes (range: 0-8) of diarrhea and 0.54 episodes (0-4) of moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) between birth and 12 months. Surviving infants had a mean LAZ of -0.97 (standard deviation: 1.2) at 12 months. MSD was significantly associated with an average loss of 0.14 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.24, -0.05, p = 0.003) in LAZ one month after the episode. Linear growth outcomes were not predicted by cumulative episodes of diarrhea, or timing of diarrhea during infancy. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Diarrhea severity influenced the relationship between diarrhea and subsequent linear growth. HEU infants with MSD may benefit from nutritional interventions following severe diarrhea to protect against linear growth faltering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L. Deichsel
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Grace C. John-Stewart
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Judd L. Walson
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Child Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dorothy Mbori-Ngacha
- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Barbra A. Richardson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Brandon L. Guthrie
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Rose Bosire
- Center for Public Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Patricia B. Pavlinac
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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Deichsel EL, Pavlinac PB, Mbori-Ngacha D, Walson JL, Maleche-Obimbo E, Farquhar C, Bosire R, John-Stewart GC. Maternal Diarrhea and Antibiotic Use are Associated with Increased Risk of Diarrhea among HIV-Exposed, Uninfected Infants in Kenya. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:1001-1008. [PMID: 32100682 PMCID: PMC7204572 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-exposed, uninfected (HEU) children are a growing population at particularly high risk of infection-related death in whom preventing diarrhea may significantly reduce under-5 morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. A historic cohort (1999-2002) of Kenyan HEU infants followed from birth to 12 months was used. Maternal and infant morbidity were ascertained at monthly clinic visits and unscheduled sick visits. The Andersen-Gill Cox model was used to assess maternal, environmental, and infant correlates of diarrhea, moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD; diarrhea with dehydration, dysentery, or related hospital admission), and prolonged/persistent diarrhea (> 7 days) in infants. HIV-exposed, uninfected infants (n = 373) experienced a mean 2.09 (95% CI: 1.93, 2.25) episodes of diarrhea, 0.47 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.55) episodes of MSD, and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.42) episodes of prolonged/persistent diarrhea in their first year. Postpartum maternal diarrhea was associated with increased risk of infant diarrhea (Hazard ratio [HR]: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.43, 3.06) and MSD (HR: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.10, 7.59). Maternal antibiotic use was a risk factor for prolonged/persistent diarrhea (HR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.55). Infants living in households with a pit latrine were 1.44 (95% CI: 1.19, 1.74) and 1.49 (95% CI: 1.04, 2.14) times more likely to experience diarrhea and MSD, respectively, relative to those with a flush toilet. Current exclusive breastfeeding was protective against MSD (HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.58) relative to infants receiving no breast milk. Reductions in maternal diarrhea may result in substantial reductions in diarrhea morbidity among HEU children, in addition to standard diarrhea prevention interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L. Deichsel
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Judd L. Walson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Child Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rose Bosire
- Center for Public Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Grace C. John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Deichsel EL, Pavlinac PB, Richardson BA, Mbori-Ngacha D, Walson JL, McGrath CJ, Farquhar C, Bosire R, Maleche-Obimbo E, John-Stewart GC. Birth size and early pneumonia predict linear growth among HIV-exposed uninfected infants. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2019; 15:e12861. [PMID: 31222958 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Stunting remains a global health priority, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying determinants of linear growth in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants can inform interventions to prevent stunting in this vulnerable population. HIV-infected mothers and their uninfected infants were followed monthly from pregnancy to 12-month post-partum in Nairobi, Kenya. Mixed-effects models estimated the change in length-for-age z-score (LAZ) from birth to 12 months by environmental, maternal, and infant characteristics. Multivariable models included factors univariately associated with LAZ. Among 372 HEU infants, mean LAZ decreased from -0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI] [-0.67, -0.41]) to -1.09 (95% CI [-1.23, -0.96]) between 0 and 12 months. Declines in LAZ were associated with crowding (≥2 persons per room; adjusted difference [AD] in 0-12 month change: -0.46; 95% CI [-0.87, -0.05]), use of a pit latrine versus a flush toilet (AD: -0.29; 95% CI [-0.57, -0.02]), and early infant pneumonia (AD: -1.14; 95% CI [-1.99, -0.29]). Infants with low birthweight (<2,500 g; AD: 1.08; 95% CI [0.40, 1.76]) and birth stunting (AD: 1.11; 95% CI [0.45, 1.78]) experienced improved linear growth. By 12 months of age, 46 infants were stunted, of whom 11 (24%) were stunted at birth. Of the 34 infants stunted at birth with an available 12-month LAZ, 68% were not stunted at 12 months. Some low birthweight and birth-stunted HEU infants had significant linear growth recovery. Early infant pneumonia and household environment predicted poor linear growth and may identify a subgroup of HEU infants for whom to provide growth-promoting interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Deichsel
- Biostatistics, Global Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Patricia B Pavlinac
- Biostatistics, Global Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Barbra A Richardson
- Biostatistics, Global Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - Judd L Walson
- Biostatistics, Global Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.,Child Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Christine J McGrath
- Biostatistics, Global Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Biostatistics, Global Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Rose Bosire
- Center for Public Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Grace C John-Stewart
- Biostatistics, Global Health, Epidemiology, Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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