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. 2014 Jan 8:14:7.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-7.

Correlates and outcomes of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age in HIV-exposed uninfected infants

Jennifer A Slyker  1 , Janna Patterson, Gwen Ambler, Barbra A Richardson, Elizabeth Maleche-Obimbo, Rose Bosire, Dorothy Mbori-Ngacha, Carey Farquhar, Grace John-Stewart
Affiliations

Correlates and outcomes of preterm birth, low birth weight, and small for gestational age in HIV-exposed uninfected infants

Jennifer A Slyker et al. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. .

Abstract

Background: Preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) contribute to neonatal mortality. Maternal HIV-1 infection has been associated with an increased risk of PTB, but mechanisms underlying this association are undefined. We describe correlates and outcomes of PTB, LBW, and SGA in HIV-exposed uninfected infants.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of cohort study. Between 1999-2002, pregnant, HIV-infected women were enrolled into an HIV-1 transmission study. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of PTB, LBW and SGA in HIV-negative, spontaneous singleton deliveries. Associations between birth outcomes and mortality were measured using survival analyses.

Results: In multivariable models, maternal plasma (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1-3.8) and cervical HIV-1 RNA levels (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.4), and CD4 < 15% (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.0-5.6) were associated with increased odds of PTB. Abnormal vaginal discharge and cervical polymorphonuclear leukocytes were also associated with PTB. Cervical HIV-1 RNA level (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.5-6.7) was associated with an increased odds of LBW, while increasing parity (OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.24-0.88) was associated with reduced odds. Higher maternal body mass index (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.61-0.92) was associated with a reduced odds of SGA, while bacterial vaginosis was associated with >3-fold increased odds (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.4-7.4). PTB, LBW, and SGA were each associated with a >6-fold increased risk of neonatal death, and a >2-fold increased rate of infant mortality within the first year.

Conclusions: Maternal plasma and cervical HIV-1 RNA load, and genital infections may be important risk factors for PTB in HIV-exposed uninfected infants. PTB, LBW, and SGA are associated with increased neonatal and infant mortality in HIV-exposed uninfected infants.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patient flow chart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Survival of preterm, low birth weight, and small for gestational age HIV-exposed uninfected infants. Curves show survival functions for infants grouped by prematurity, low birth weight, and small for gestational age. P values are from log-rank test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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