Pathology in children of HIV women

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of perinatal pathology in children exposed to antiretrovirals in perinatal period.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort study.

Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study. Data collected among uninfected children born to HIV-infected women followed up from 1994 to 2006 in a tertiary Hospital. 220 uninfected children were studied. Factors studied included maternal, obstetrical and pediatric variables.

Results: The most common disorder found among children exposed to antiretroviral drugs was anemia (84%); 6,4% of children had neutropenia and more than 24% had thrombocytosis, a finding never described before. Prematurity (24%) and low birth weight (23.6%) rates were high. Several congenital malformations were found: Poland syndrome, angiomas, hypospadias, Pierre-Robin sequence, trisomy 8, craniostosis and others. Long-term follow-up revealed neurological, cardiological and ophthalmological pathologies.

Conclusion: Some pathologies are frequent among children exposed to antiretroviral agents during perinatal life. It is crucial to carry out long-term studies to assess the safety of this therapy.