Walubo A, Baleni R, Mukudu H, Kambafwile H, Dheda M, Thengwa T, Jiane T. Clinical Characteristics of Children with HIV Initiated on Antiretroviral Treatment at HIV Clinics in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Int J MCH AIDS 2021;
10:146-155. [PMID:
34290903 PMCID:
PMC8285671 DOI:
10.21106/ijma.471]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Over the past 15 years, there have been three major updates to the South African national guidelines for the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in children. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics of children who were initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Bloemfontein, South Africa, following these national treatment guidelines.
METHODS
Clinical information during initiation of ART in children aged 0-13 years was obtained from five HIV clinics in Bloemfontein from 2004 to 2019 as part of the establishment of an antiretroviral (ARV) pediatric registry at the University of the Free State. Data were analyzed for patient demographics, clinical presentation (World Health Organization (WHO) HIV-staging, growth rate and comorbid conditions), types of investigations done, and medicines prescribed.
RESULTS
The number of children initiated on ART increased from 168 in the period 2004-2009 to 349 (107.8%) in 2010-2014, and then dropped to 162 in the period 2015-2019. The increase in 2010-2014 was mainly in the <2 years age group by 54.8%, and in the 5 to 10 years age group by 344.4%. In the same period, the number of children with severe illness (WHO HIV-stage 4) decreased by 20.7%, while those with mild to moderate illness (WHO HIV-stage 2 and 3) increased by 17.3%. HIV infection was more severe in children under two years as more patients in this age group presented with WHO HIV-stages 3 and 4, severe underweight (below 3rd percentile), severely suppressed CD4 count (< 25%), and a high viral load (> 1000 copies/ml). There was increased use of ABC/3TC/LPVr in the < 3-year age group and ABC/3TC/EFV in the > 3-year age group. There was reduced use of the stavudine and other regimens.
CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
More children were started on ART and safer ARV drugs. Children under 2 years were the most debilitated by HIV, and there was an increase in HIV prevalence among children > 5 years. New strategies for the prevention and management of HIV among children in these two age groups are needed.
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