title: Severe morbidity and mortality in untreated HIV-infected children in a paediatric care programme in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 2004-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical evolution of HIV-infected children who have not yet initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART) is poorly understood in Africa. We describe severe morbidity and mortality of untreated HIV-infected children.
  
  
  METHODS
  All HIV-infected children enrolled from 2004-2009 in a prospective HIV programme in two health facilities in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, were eligible from their time of inclusion. Risks of severe morbidity (the first clinical event leading to death or hospitalisation) and mortality were documented retrospectively and estimated using cumulative incidence functions. Associations with baseline characteristics were assessed by competing risk regression models between outcomes and antiretroviral initiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  405 children were included at a median age of 4.5 years; at baseline, 66.9% were receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, and 27.7% met the 2006 WHO criteria for immunodeficiency by age. The risk of developing a severe morbid event was 14% (95%CI: 10.7 - 17.8) at 18 months; this risk was lower in children previously exposed to any prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) intervention (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR]: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04 - 0.71) versus those without known exposure. Cumulative mortality reached 5.5% (95%CI: 3.5 - 8.1) at 18 months. Mortality was associated with immunodeficiency (sHR: 6.02, 95% CI: 1.28-28.42).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having benefited from early access to care minimizes the severe morbidity risk for children who acquire HIV. Despite the receipt of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, the risk of severe morbidity and mortality remains high in untreated HIV-infected children. Such evidence adds arguments to promote earlier access to ART in HIV-infected children in Africa and improve care interventions in a context where treatment is still not available to all.
authors.affiliation: Inserm, U897 & Institut de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie et Développement (ISPED), Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Desmonde
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coffie
authors.forename: Edmond
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aka
authors.forename: Clarisse
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amani-Bosse
authors.forename: Eugène
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Messou
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dabis
authors.forename: Ahmadou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alioum
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciaranello
authors.forename: Valériane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leroy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents