Human immunodeficiency virus infection in hemophilic children

Abstract

The following groups were compared: (1) children less than 18 years old who have hemophilia-associated acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with other children with AIDS and with adults who have hemophilia-associated AIDS and (2) asymptomatic HIV-infected hemophilic children with asymptomatic HIV-infected hemophilic adults. Children with hemophilia-associated AIDS were older than other children with AIDS (medians 13 and 1 years, respectively) and less frequently had lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (5% v 48%) but had similar incidences of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (51% v 53%) and similar case to fatality ratios (59% v 61%). Children with hemophilia-associated AIDS had P carinii pneumonia significantly less often than did adults with hemophilia-associated AIDS, but both had similar case to fatality ratios (adults 72% with P carinii pneumonia, 68% dead). Significantly more hemophilic children than adults with AIDS were nonwhite (30% v 14%) and resided in the tristate area of New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania (43% v 25%). The immune effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to date on asymptomatic pediatric and adult hemophiliacs are similar but may be more severe in adults. It is concluded that, although some of the clinical manifestations of AIDS (eg, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis) occurring or not occurring in older children infected through blood factor products differ from those of other children with AIDS, disease outcome to date is equally poor. The reasons for the differences between hemophilic children and hemophilic adults with and without AIDS warrant further investigation.