Pubertal Development Pattern in HIV-Infected Girls in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria

Background:  Unidentified and untreated pubertal abnormalities in HIV-infected girls may result in adverse psychosocial consequences as well as a reduced final adult height. The aim of the study was to determine the pubertal development pattern in HIV-infected girls receiving care in two tertiary hospitals in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study involving 90 HIV-infected girls aged 10-18 years and 90 age, sex and socio-economic class matched non-HIV-infected girls. Results: The mean age of pubertal onset in HIV-infected girls was 11.57±1.05 which was  significantly higher than the mean age of 10.78±0.69 seen in  the non-HIV-infected group (ꭓ 2= 2.667, p=0.011). Sixty three (70%) of HIV-infected females had commenced puberty (Tanner stage 2 or above for breast development) compared to 83 (92.2%) of non-HIV-infected females. (χ2=16.277, p=0.003). Forty per cent (40%) of HIV-infected girls had attained menarche (40%) as against 52.2% in the comparison group but this difference was not statistically significant (χ2=2.705, p=0.100). There was a higher prevalence of pubertal delay in HIV-infected girls (6.7%) compared to non-HIV-infected girls (1.1%). Conclusion: The mean age of Pubertal onset was significantly later in HIV-infected girls compared to non-HIV-infected. This could have negative implications for psychosocial and reproductive health in HIV-infected girls.