Year: 2024 | Month: October-December | Volume: 9 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1-16
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20240401
Prevalence, Morbidity Pattern and Outcome of HIV Exposed Infants admitted into The Special Care Baby Unit of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
Boma Awoala West
Department of Paediatrics, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital,
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Medical Sciences,
Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Background: HIV/AIDS remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric age group including the neonatal age.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study carried out from January 5th 2021 to 4th December, 2023 in the neonatal unit of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
Results: Of 1412 neonates admitted, 48 were HIV exposed with prevalence rate of 3.4%, M:F ratio of 1:1.2 and mean birth weight of 2.82 ± 0.93kg. Most mothers were >30years, 31(64.6%) with secondary level of education 28(58.3%). Majority commenced antenatal care in the 1st trimester 26(54.7%) and delivered via emergency Caesarean section 24(50.0%). Most maternal HIV status was known before index pregnancy 28(58.2%) and commenced HAART 29(67.4%). Most baby’s feeding option was exclusive breast feeding (75.0%) while mixed feeding was 6.3%. Nevirapine was given to 31(64.6%) infants and nevirapine/zidovudine to 17(35.4%). The commonest morbidities were probable neonatal sepsis 27(58.7%), hypoglycaemia 13(28.3%), neonatal jaundice 9(19.6%) and perinatal asphyxia 9(19.6%). There was mortality rate of 4.2% with HIV seropositivity rate at 6-8 weeks being 10.9%. Mothers’ level of education and occupation were significantly associated with HIV seropositivity rate (P=0.041, 0.049) whereas the pattern of morbidity had no significant association with the infants seropositivity rate.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV exposed infants admitted was 3.4% with M:F ratio of 1:1.2. The commonest morbidities were probable neonatal sepsis, hypoglycaemia, neonatal jaundice and perinatal asphyxia. There was a mortality rate of 4.2% with high infants seropositivity rate of 10.9%. This therefore calls for an intensification of the PMTCT program.
Keywords: HIV exposed infants; Prevalence; Morbidity; Outcome