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Unexplained HIV-1 infection in children--documenting cases and assessing for possible risk factors.
- Source :
-
South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde [S Afr Med J] 2004 Mar; Vol. 94 (3), pp. 188-93. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
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 thought 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.<br />Study Design: Retrospective chart review.<br />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%) had 2 or more admissions. Intravascular cannulation and intravenous drug administration occurred in all but 2 children before HIV diagnosis.<br />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.
- Subjects :
- Age Distribution
Child, Preschool
Developing Countries
Female
HIV Infections diagnosis
HIV Seropositivity
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Male
Retrospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Sampling Studies
Serologic Tests
Severity of Illness Index
Sex Distribution
South Africa epidemiology
Survival Analysis
Disease Transmission, Infectious statistics & numerical data
HIV Infections epidemiology
HIV Infections transmission
HIV Seronegativity
Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical statistics & numerical data
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0256-9574
- Volume :
- 94
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 15098278