title: Hematological Indices at Birth of Infants of HIV-Positive Mothers Participating in a Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which accounts for 90% of infections in children, has been reduced markedly through the use of antiretroviral drugs by pregnant women and their newborns. Changes to the World Health Organization guidelines support further extension of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs with increased risk of toxicity on the fetuses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the hematological indices at birth of infants exposed in utero to maternal antiretroviral drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparative analytical study of 126 neonates whose blood samples were analyzed to determine their hematological indices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hemoglobin, hematocrit, the total white blood cell (WBC) count and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) were significantly lower in infants of HIV-positive mothers. The total WBC and ANC were also significantly lower in the highly active antiretroviral therapy. HAART group and those exposed to maternal drugs for <1 year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are significant changes in the hematological indices of infants of HIV-positive mothers at birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla Enugu, 402139, Nigeria, Enugu Campus, drijoms@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ijeoma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Obumneme-Anyim
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla Enugu, 402139, Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
authors.forename: Ngozi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ibeziako
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, 400241, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ifeoma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Emodi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, 400241, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ikefuna
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, 400241, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Tagbo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oguonu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins
keywords: HIV-infected mothers; birth; hematological indices; infants