CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS IN HIV POSITIVE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CD4 CELL COUNT
Dr. Shantisena Mishra, Dr. Pratibha Rai, Dr. Arakhita Swain* and Dr. Saiprasanna Behera
ABSTRACT
Background: HIV in pediatric age group is a major world health problem. In India childhood, HIV amounts to around 4.4% of all cases. It is a large contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality in India. Usually the commonest cause of death in these children is opportunistic infections, which are more seen in CD4 cell count depleted children. Aims and Objectives: The study was carried out with the objectives to find out the incidence of OI in HIV positive children and its relation to CD4 cell count. Materials and Methods: Hospital based observational study conducted over on period of 2 years (Sept 2015 to Aug 2017) at pediatrics Dept. of SCB Medical College, Cuttack, India. HIV seropositive children less then 14 years of age were included in the study. Detailed clinical evaluation and lab investigations were done and they were put into WHO clinical stages. They were further classified based on CD4 count. Results: Out of total 50 cases, 28 presented in stage-III and 15 in stage-IV at first visit. Girls had higher mean CD4 count (488) than boys (340). PTB was most common OI (28%) followed by oral candidiasis. Children with OI had less CD4 cell count. Conclusion: The clinical manifestations of HIV infection in children may be similar to number of other diseases. As the WHO clinical stage and grade of malnutrition increases, CD4 count decreases thus can be a reliable marker of disease progression in HIV infected children.
Keywords: HIV, CD4 cell count, OI.
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