title: Changes in pediatric HIV-related hospital admissions and mortality in Soweto, South Africa, 1996-2011: light at the end of the tunnel?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With widespread availability of pediatric antiretroviral therapy and improved access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), it is important to monitor the impact on pediatric HIV-related hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality in South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 15-year period, 4 independent surveillance studies were conducted in the pediatric wards at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa (1996, 2005, 2007, and late 2010 to early 2011). Trends in HIV prevalence and HIV-related mortality were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HIV prevalence was similar during the first 3 periods: 26.2% (1996), 31.7% (2005), and 29.5% (2007) P > 0.10, but was lower in 2010-2011 (19.3%; P = 0.0005). Median age of the children admitted with HIV increased in the latter periods from 9.13 (interquartile range 3.6-28.8) months to 10.0 (3.0-44.5) months (P > 0.10) and 18.0 (6.2-69.8) months (P = 0.048). Median admission weight-for-age z-scores were similar (< -3 SD) for the latter 3 periods. Admission CD4 percentage increased from 0.0% (0.0-9.4) in 2005 to 15.0% (8.2-22.8) in 2007 (P < 0.0001) and was 18.7% (9.6-24.7) in 2010-2011 (P > 0.10). Mortality among all vs. HIV-infected admissions was 63 of 565 (11.2%) and 43 of 179 (24.0%) in 2005, 91 of 1510 (6.0%) and 53 of 440 (12.0%) in 2007, and 18 of 429 (4.2%) and 9 of 73 (12.3%) in 2010-2011.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV prevalence and mortality among pediatric admissions is decreasing. This is likely a result of improved PMTCT and wider antiretroviral therapy coverage. Continued effort to improve PMTCT coverage and identify and treat younger and older HIV-infected children is required to further reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Harriet Shezi Clinic, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. tammy@meyers.net
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dramowski
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Nicolene
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gardiner
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents