Response of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) in Pediatric Patients Registered at HIV Center at a Tertiary Care Public Sector Hospital.
Outcome of pediatric HIV patients on ART
Keywords:
HIV/AIDS, Anti Retroviral Therapy, Mortality, Communicable diseasesAbstract
Objective:
To determine the response of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in terms of outcome in pediatric HIV patients.
Study Design: Retrospective observational study
Place and duration: HIV treatment Center at Pediatric Unit II, Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi.
Methods:
All patients, 6 weeks to 18 years of age, registered at this center from 1st December 2010 to 31st June 2021 and diagnosed as HIV/ AIDS were included. Patients who expired or shifted to other center before 6 months of treatment and patients who received ARV prophylaxis for preventing Parent to Child Transmission (PTCT) were excluded from this analysis. The demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded and outcome was presented in terms of mortality. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Results:
Out of a total of 346 HIV patients, n=194 (56.1%) were male. The mean age was 6.40 ± 3.98 years. Children mostly presented with pallor n=208 (60.1%) and weight loss n=136 (39.3%). Mother-child vertical transmission was the most common in n=263 (76.9%). Among the 291 children receiving ART for ≥6 months, the mortality rate was 22.3% (n=65). It was statistically correlated with viral load detected and malnutrition.
Conclusion:
Most of the children responded to ART highlighting the effectiveness of the treatment. However, rigorous case studies and problem-oriented approach should be undertaken in order to improve the overall treatment outcome of this deadly disease that has been grappling Sindh since many years.
