Neurocognitive Function of School-aged HIV-infected Children in Enugu, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Evidence has shown neurocognitive problems often exist among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. There are limited data for children in Nigeria.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of 100 school-aged perinatally HIV-infected children seen in the paediatric HIV clinic and age/sex-matched controls from the general paediatric clinic. Neuro-cognitive functioning was assessed using the Raven's progressive matrices (RPM) that has been adapted for the Nigerian population.


RESULTS
The mean RPM score of subjects was 22.97 ± 11.35 compared with 32.93 ± 15.71 among controls (p < 0.001). Twenty-two percent of subjects in the HIV-infected group vs. 56% of controls were in the above-average intelligence group on the RPM. Thirty-four percent had average scores, while 22% were in the below-average scoring range. Neuro-cognitive functioning of the subjects was significantly affected by immunologic staging and socio-economic status.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurocognitive functioning of the HIV-infected children was significantly lower than those of their un-infected counterparts. Neurodevelopmental evaluation should be part of standard care in HIV-infected children in Nigerian setting.
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.|Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
Kenechukwu K
KK
Iloh
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.|Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
Ifeoma J
IJ
Emodi
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.|Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
Ngozi S
NS
Ibeziako
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.|Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
Anthony N
AN
Ikefuna
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.|Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
Agozie C
AC
Ubesie
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
Ogochukwu N
ON
Iloh
Whiston Hospital, St Helen's and Knowsley Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Prescot L35 5DR, UK.
Gideon C
GC
Ilechukwu
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.|Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu 400001, Nigeria.
Adaeze C
AC
Ayuk
HIV; Nigeria; Raven; children; cognitive; functioning; neurocognitive; school-aged