Opportunistic infections and organ-specific diseases in HIV-1-infected children: a cohort study (1990-2006).
OBJECTIVE
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically changed the natural history of HIV infection in children, but there are few studies in the literature about the incidence of clinical manifestations after HAART in this population, compared with adults. The aim of this study was to describe the influence of the widespread use of HAART on the development of opportunistic infections and organ-specific diseases in HIV-infected children.


METHODS
An observational study of a cohort of 366 vertically HIV-infected children followed from 1990 to 2006 was carried out. According to the main antiretroviral protocol used, three calendar periods (CPs) were defined and compared: CP1 (1990-1996: no patients on HAART), CP2 (1997-1999: <60% on HAART) and CP3 (2000-2006: >60% on HAART).


RESULTS
Children experienced a progressive increase in CD4 T cell count (P<0.05) and a decrease in HIV viral load from 1996 onwards (P<0.05). Similarly, rates of death, AIDS, opportunistic infections (bacteraemia, candidosis, cryptosporidiosis and bacterial pneumonia) and organ-specific diseases (wasting syndrome, thrombocytopenia, cardiomyopathy, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia and HIV-associated encephalopathy) were lower in CP2 and CP3 than in CP1.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence of improved clinical outcomes in HIV-infected children over time and shows that mortality, AIDS, opportunistic infections and organ-specific diseases declined as HAART was progressively instituted in this population.
Guillén
S
S
Pediatric Immunology Department, Getafe Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
García San Miguel
L
L
Resino
S
S
Bellón
J M
JM
González
I
I
Jiménez de Ory
S
S
Muñoz-Fernández
M A
MA
Navarro
M L
ML
Gurbindo
M D
MD
de José
M I
MI
Mellado
M J
MJ
Martín-Fontelos
P
P
Gonzalez-Tomé
M I
MI
Martinez
J
J
Beceiro
J
J
Roa
M A
MA
Ramos
J T
JT
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents