Clinico-demographic Profile and Outcome of Pediatric HIV/AIDS Patients in Western Visayas Medical Center

Abstract

Objective: Pediatric HIV is a national health concern that has grown exponentially in the past 5 years. This study aimed to determine the clinico-demographic profile and outcome of pediatric HIV/AIDS patients 0-18 years old seen at the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) HIV/AIDS Treatment Hub from March 2006 to September 2018. Methods: Medical chart records of all pediatric HIV/AIDS patients seen at the treatment hub during the study period were reviewed. Data on clinical and demographic profile and outcomes were gathered and descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. Results: A total of 30 children 0-18 years old were registered consisting of 29 (97%) males and 1 (3%) female. A sudden increase in pediatric HIV patients was noted in the past 3 years, mostly among male adolescents engaged in male-to-male sexual contact (MSM). Majority (73%) were symptomatic at diagnosis with flu-like symptoms, fever and vomiting. Common physical exam findings were lymphadenopathy and rashes. HIV-related infections were tuberculosis and pneumonia. About 60% of study participants had severe immunodeficiency. Two-year mortality rate was 38%. Correlation of age and baseline CD4 count with outcome did not show any significant results. Conclusion: Pediatric HIV/AIDS patients were symptomatic, male adolescents who engaged in male to male sexual contact. Co-infections with pneumonia and tuberculosis were common and severe immunodeficiency was present at diagnosis. Thirty-eight percent of patients had poor outcomes 2 years after diagnosis