HIV-free Survival at the Age of 18 Months in Children Born to Women With HIV Infection: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess HIV-free survival and nutritional status of HIV-exposed infants.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted on infants born to woman with HIV infection born at our Institute between January 2011 to March 2016, and followed using current National guidelines. HIV transmission rate, HIV-free survival, and nutritional status were assessed 18 months age.

RESULTS

Of the 155 infants, 10 (6.5%) died before 18 months of age. Two of 145 surviving infants were confirmed HIV-positive, the remaining were HIV-negative at 18 months (HIV-free survival 92.3%). Of the 10 infants who died, one was confirmed HIV-positive and three negative; the rest died before their HIV status could be ascertained. HIV infection rate among the 149 infants for whom the test reports were available was 2%. At 18 months age, 14% HIV-uninfected infants were wasted, 28% stunted, and 3% had microcephaly.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants born to mothers with HIV managed as per the current National guidelines have a good outcome at 18 months of age.