Trends in Prevalence of Opportunistic Infections in HIV Infected Children and Their Correlation with CD4 Count

Abstract

HIV infection has both medical and socio-economical implications such as social stigma and demise of parents. The children constitute 6% of global HIV disease burden. Major proportion of morbidity and mortality is due to Opportunistic infection (OI). The major determinant of OI is the CD4 cell count and its suppression by the virus. Studies are available to estimate the OI prevalence in HIV, however, after the institution of Anti-reteroviral therapy, scenario has changed, and so has the spectrum of disease. It was our endeavor to find out the impact of adequate therapy on OI and CD4 count. Hence this study was taken up in an urban ART center.

Type of study: A Cross-sectional observational study

Objectives: (i) To study the clinical and immunological profile of HIV infected children attending the ART centre;

(ii) To correlate CD4 count with clinical staging