Abstract
BackgroundAntiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces HIV-related mortality and morbidity substantially in children. The clinical characteristics, immunological and virological outcomes were evaluated in HIV-infected children receiving ART.MethodsTwenty-six HIV-1-infected children receiving ART in Hubei province, China, were enrolled retrospectively in this study. During the period of ART, plasma viral load, lymphocyte phenotype of CD4 and CD8 cells and clinical events were assessed.ResultsThe median duration of ART was 41 months (18–72.3 months). In children showing clinical improvement, high viral suppression rate below log10 (2.7) copies/ml by the third months of ART was observed. The median CD4 cell counts reached to 820.5/μl by 12 months and the median ratio of CD4/CD8 increased to 0.6 by 21 months. The counts of peripheral white blood cells and red blood cells decreased in the first 12 months, while Hb concentration, MCV and MCH increased (P < 0.001).ConclusionsDespite the limited small sample size, ART is an effective strategy for inhibiting HIV replication and reconstructing the immunological response in children with AIDS.
Highlights
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces HIV-related mortality and morbidity substantially in children
The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommended initiating ART in all children according to their clinical stage and CD4 cell count or percentage [1]
The Division of Treatment and Care (DTC) of the National Center for AIDS/STD Control of China estimated nearly 6000 children infected with HIV-1 in China at the end of 2011 [6]
Summary
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces HIV-related mortality and morbidity substantially in children. The clinical characteristics, immunological and virological outcomes were evaluated in HIV-infected children receiving ART. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces HIV-related mortality and morbidity substantially in children, and without HIV care, the progression of HIV-infection children is aggressive. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommended initiating ART in all children according to their clinical stage and CD4 cell count or percentage [1]. The Division of Treatment and Care (DTC) of the National Center for AIDS/STD Control of China estimated nearly 6000 children infected with HIV-1 in China at the end of 2011 [6]. Before 2005, few HIV-infected children in China received ART, and pediatric formulations were unavailable by referring to adult fixed-dose
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