Haematological abnormalities associated with paediatric HIV/AIDS in Lagos.
BACKGROUND
In HIV-1-infected children, haematological disturbances include bone marrow abnormalities and peripheral cytopenias. All three major cell lineages can be depressed.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of baseline haematological parameters was undertaken in 68 children with confirmed HIV infection. In all cases, a complete blood count was done and some had CD4+ counts and HIV RNA PCR. The CD4+ count was analysed by the Coulter manual latex particle monoclonal antibody method and HIV RNA PCR by Roche Amplicor Monitor, version 1.5.


RESULTS
Anaemia (< 100 g/L) was present in 77.9%, severe (< 60 g/L) in 5.9%, moderate (60-70 g/L) in 32.3% and mild (80-99 g/L) in 39.7%. The mean haemoglobin concentration decreased as disease progressed (p < 0.05); 6% had leucopenia, 17.5% had neutropenia and 2.5% (one case) had thrombocytopenia; also, the four (6%) subjects with leucopenia were in clinical stages B and C. Neutropenia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were seen more in clinical stages B and C, though this relationship was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the erythroid and other cells lines are affected by HIV/AIDS and other associated factors. Anaemia is the most common haematological abnormality. The severity of peripheral cytopenias is related to the disease burden.
Adetifa
I M O
IM
Department of Paediatrics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
Temiye
E O
EO
Akinsulie
A O
AO
Ezeaka
V C
VC
Iroha
E O
EO
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000740:Anemia / Q000821:virology; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000821:virology; D009549:Nigeria; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load
D012367:RNA, Viral