Neurodevelopment in HIV Infected Children at Roosevelt’s Hospital Infectious Diseases Clinic, in Guatemala

Abstract

Background: The infection with HIV has been related to neurological disorders that are very frequent, since this virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters the CNS, thus affecting its neurological development. About 50% - 90% of infected patients, with an average age of onset from 19 months to 3 years old may present some types of neurological alteration during the course of the disease. Currently in Guatemala, there are no researches that show changes in the neurodevelopment of patients infected with HIV. Objective: To identify neurodevelopment of pediatric patients infected with the HIV, taking into consideration clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six patients, who were under 8 years and 6 months of age, that met the inclusion criteria (confirmed diagnosis of HIV), were evaluated through neurodevelopment test (Bayley Test and McCarthy’s Scale) during the months of May and June of 2016. Results: Within the neurodevelopment evaluation, it was discovered that between 36% and 54% of evaluated patients that were 3 years and 6 months to 8 years and 6 months old, presented alterations in more than one area of neurodevelopment, correlating it with studies performed in other countries with 30% - 70% of neurological affection. Conclusions-All infected patients have alterations in more than one area of neurodevelopment. The most affected areas of neurodevelopment were the verbal, numerical and cognitive areas.