Study of clinical profile of HIV infected children and the response to Anti-retroviral therapy at ART centre, Government general hospital,Kakinada
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Abstract
Pediatric HIV is a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. HIV is a growing concern in
the pediatric population and a large number of children are registered and treated at ART centers across the country.
Combination Antiretroviral therapy (ART), or Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), is the current stone of HIV
management to improve the quality of life clinically and prolong the lives of people living with HIV.
Objective : To study the clinical profile of HIV infected children started on antiretroviral therapy at Government
General Hospital, Kakinada , the immunological response of HIV-infected children started on antiretroviral therapy ,
the adverse reactions of antiretroviral therapy in HIV infected children.
Results :In the present study, 188 HIV children were enrolled, and 84% of children are regularly followed for six
months at the ART centre.The most commonly used ART regimens in children were Zidovudine based
regimen(52%) followed by Tenofovir based regimen(31%). The mortality of HIV-infected children was 5%, and all
were in the age group of below 5 years.
Conclusion :The study reported ART benefits in clinical and immunological disease progression and nutritional
status in HIV infected children after six months of treatment .