The Physical & Psychological Effects of HIV Infection & Its Treatment on Perinatally HIV-Infected Children

Introduction

As highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) transforms human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into a manageable chronic disease, new challenges are emerging in treating children born with HIV, including a number of risks to their physical and psychological health due to HIV infection and its lifelong treatment.

Methods

We conducted a literature review to evaluate the evidence on the physical and psychological effects of perinatal HIV (PHIV+) infection and its treatment in the era of HAART, including major chronic comorbidities.

Results and discussion

Perinatally infected children face concerning levels of treatment failure and drug resistance, which may hamper their long-term treatment and result in more significant comorbidities. Physical complications from PHIV+ infection and treatment potentially affect all major organ systems. Although treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) therapy has reduced incidence of severe neurocognitive diseases like HIV encephalopathy, perinatally infected children may experience less severe neurocognitive complications related to HIV disease and ARV neurotoxicity. Major metabolic complications include dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance, complications that are associated with both HIV infection and several ARV agents and may significantly affect cardiovascular disease risk with age. Bone abnormalities, particularly amongst children treated with tenofovir, are a concern for perinatally infected children who may be at higher risk for bone fractures and osteoporosis. In many studies, rates of anaemia are significantly higher for HIV-infected children. Renal failure is a significant complication and cause of death amongst perinatally infected children, while new data on sexual and reproductive health suggest that sexually transmitted infections and birth complications may be additional concerns for perinatally infected children in adolescence. Finally, perinatally infected children may face psychological challenges, including higher rates of mental health and behavioural disorders. Existing studies have significant methodological limitations, including small sample sizes, inappropriate control groups and heterogeneous definitions, to name a few.

Conclusions

Success in treating perinatally HIV-infected children and better understanding of the physical and psychological implications of lifelong HIV infection require that we address a new set of challenges for children. A better understanding of these challenges will guide care providers, researchers and policymakers towards more effective HIV care management for perinatally infected children and their transition to adulthood.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/Qh85Da

By:   Rachel C Vreeman,§,1,2,3 Michael L Scanlon,*,1,2 Megan S McHenry,*,1,2 and Winstone M Nyandiko*,2,3

¹Children's Health Services Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

²Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya

³Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya

^§Corresponding author: Rachel C Vreeman, Children’s Health Services Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 410 W. 10th Street, HITS Suite 1000, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Tel: +1 317 278 0552. Fax: +1 317 278 0456. (Email:ude.ui@nameervr)

 

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