[Psychosocial aspects in a cohort of vertically transmitted human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents].
BACKGROUND
Thanks to advances in antiretroviral treatment, children with HIV infections through vertical transmission have improved their life expectancy. However, new challenges have emerged. We propose this study in order to determine the psychosocial aspects and knowledge of infections in a cohort of adolescents with vertically transmitted HIV infections.


METHODS
Patients with vertically-acquired HIV infection between 12 and 19 years old were included. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for emotional and behavioral disorders screening.


RESULTS
We evaluated 96 patients (58% females) with a median age of 15 years (11-19.1) and a median age at diagnosis of 1.70 years (0-12.2). The median CD4 count was 626cells/mm(3) (132-998), and the viral load was<50cp/ml in 72% of patients. Among them, 90% attended school and 60% repeated at least one course. Although 81% of them knew of their diagnosis, only 30% understood their disease, with 18.2% having discussed it with friends. Six unwanted pregnancies occurred during the study period. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire showed hyperactivity risk in 33%.


CONCLUSIONS
A high percentage of adolescents show difficulties in several areas (disease knowledge, peer relationship, school failure...) that can have an impact on their adult lives. Further studies are needed to evaluate their origin and development in depth, as well as interventions to modify this situation.
Servicio de Inmunodeficiencias e Infecciosas pediátricas, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España; Sección de Neuropsicología, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
Cristina
C
García-Navarro
Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, España.
Isabel
I
García
Servicio de Infectología Pediátrica, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
Gabriela
G
Medín
Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, España.
José Tomás
JT
Ramos-Amador
Servicio de Infectología Pediátrica, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
Marisa
M
Navarro-Gómez
Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, España.
M José
MJ
Mellado-Peña
Servicio de Infecciosas pediátricas, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
M I de José
MI
Gómez
Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Getafe, España.
Marisol
M
Cortés
Sección de Neuropsicología, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
Berta
B
Zamora Crespo
Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
M Angeles
MA
Muñoz-Fernandez
Servicio de Inmunodeficiencias e Infecciosas pediátricas, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
Daniel Blázquez
DB
Gamero
Servicio de Inmunodeficiencias e Infecciosas pediátricas, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España. Electronic address: maribelgt@hotmail.com.
M Isabel
MI
González-Tomé
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
Adolescence; Adolescencia; Aspectos psicosociales; Disclosure; Educational achievement; Human immunodeficiency virus; Psychosocial aspects; Rendimiento escolar; Revelación; Transmisión vertical; Vertical transmission; Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana