Unexplained HIV-1 infection in children : documenting cases and assessing for possible risk factors

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hiemstra_unexplained_2004.pdf(185.25 KB)
Date
2004-03
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
Abstract
Background. In the year 2000 we reported possible horizontal transmission of HIV-1 infection between two siblings. An investigation of three families, each with an HIV-infected child but seronegative parents, permitted this finding. Sexual abuse and surrogate breast-feeding were though unlikely. The children had overlapping hospitalisation in a regional hospital. Since then several cases of unexplained HIV infection in children have been reported. A registry was established at Tygerberg Children's Hospital for collection of data on the extent of horizontal or unexplained transmission of HIV in children. Study design. Retrospective chart review. Results. Fourteen children were identified, 12 from the Western Cape and 1 each from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Thirteen (92%) had been hospitalised previously. In the Western Cape, children had been hospitalised in 8 hospitals. Ten of 13 (77%) were admitted as neonates and 9 of 13 (69%0 had 2 or more admissions. Intravascular cannulation and intravenous drug administration occurred in all but 2 children before HIV diagnosis. Conclusion. We have confirmed HIV infection in a number of cases where the source of infection has been inadequately explained. Circumstantial evidence supports but does not prove nosocomial transmission. Further studies and identification of medical procedures conducive to the spread of HIV are urgently needed.
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Unexplained HIV infections in children -- South Africa, Horizontal transmission of HIV infections -- South Africa
Citation
Hiemstra, R, et la. 2004, 'Unexplained HIV-1 infection in children - Documenting cases and assessing for possible risk factors', South African Medical Journal, vol. 94, no. 3, pp. 188-193, http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/5532
Collections
Research Articles (Paediatrics and Child Health)