Otorrhoea is a marker for symptomatic disease in HIV-infected children
Date
2007
Authors
Karpakis, J.
Rabie, H.
Howard, J.
Van Rensburg, A. J.
Cotton, M. F.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
Abstract
Background. Chronic otorrhoea occurs commonly in HIV-infected children. However, there are few data on incidence and severity. Objective. To document the prevalence of otorrhoea in the clinic attendees. Methods. A retrospective chart review was done of all HIV-I infected children seen at the Family Clinic for HIV from 1 February 1997 to 31 December 2001, a period preceding widespread availability of antiretrovirals: Otorrhoea was classified into two groups, viz. group 1 (mild): an episode lasting less than 1 month, and group 2 (severe): an episode lasting more than 1 month or more than 1 episode of otorrhoea. The clinical and immune stages of the children were noted. Results. Of 326 children seen during the study period, 104 (32%) had otorrhoea. Forty-five (13.8%) had mild and 59 (18.1%) severe otorrhoea. Two hundred and eighty-eight (88.6%) had either Centers for Disease Control stage B or C disease. The median CD4 percentage in children with otorrhoea was 17.5% (8.3 - 23%) versus 21% (14 - 28%) in those without otorrhoea (p=0.004). The odds ratio (OR) of children in stage B or C not having severe otorrhoea was 0.1 (0.01 - 0.72, p = 0.013). The OR for immune class 2 or 3 without severe otorrhoea was 0.39 (0.18 - 0.85, p = 0.021). Conclusions. Otorrhoea contributes to the morbidity of HIV infection in children. It is a marker for symptomatic disease and CD4 depletion and should be included in clinical classification.
Description
Article
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Otorrhoea, HIV in children -- Diagnosis
Citation
Karpakis, J. et.al. 2007. Otorrhoea is a marker for symptomatic disease in HIV-infected children, South African Medical Journal, 97(12) 1292-1294, http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj