A study of neuropsychological profile of human immunodeficiency virus-positive children and adolescents on antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

Aims: The aim is to study the neuropsychological and functional profile of children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the association between the neuropsychological status and medical illness variables, treatment variables, and functional status in the cases of the sample and compare with normal controls.

Materials and methods: Forty-two HIV-positive children and adolescents on ART were evaluated and compared with 40 matched controls not known to be HIV-positive. The tools used were the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III R for neuropsychological evaluation, the Brief Impairment Scale to assess functional impairment, and a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain other relevant details.

Results: There were significant differences between the verbal, performance intelligence quotients (IQs), global IQ score, and several individual subtests between cases and controls. The HIV group was also found to have a significant functional impairment.

Conclusion: Our findings show that HIV infection is associated with significant cognitive and functional impairment. The role of ART in these impairments requires further study. Such understanding can help to introduce wholesome and relatively safer management strategies for youngsters with HIV infection and improve their quality of life.

Keywords: Adolescents; HIV; anti-retroviral therapy; children; intelligence.