[Secondary immunodeficiency of children with HIV: Clinical-epidemiological characteristics and factors associated with immunosuppression].

Objetives: To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and factors associated with immuno-suppression in children living with HIV.

Methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study of patients treated at the Outpatient Center for the Prevention and Care of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in the State of Puebla. Statistical analysis: percentages, frequencies, means, standard deviation and medians; Inferential analysis: X² and univariate logistic regression. Statistical Package, for the Social Sciences 24.

Results: A total of 83 patients aged 0 to 17 years (mean 7 years; SD ± 6.3) were selected, with an average age at diagnosis of 2.6 years. Vertical transmission was found in 90% of cases; women 47% and men 53%. The most frequent diseases were recurrent infections, lymphadenopathy, diarrhea; four cases of tuberculosis were reported, malnutrition 35%. Clinical category: N 25%, A 66%. Immunological category: 1-72%, 2-13%. Factors associated with immunosuppression were vertical transmission (p < 0.008) and CD4 level (p < 0.007).

Conclusions: Knowing the characteristics that describe pediatric HIV/AIDS, its clinical presentation, and its limitations, may guide to install improvements in care and follow-up, improving the prognosis of children.