Opportunistic Infections Amongst HIV Infected Children and Correlation with Who Clinical Staging in Owerri, South East Nigeria
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Abstract
Background: Opportunistic infections are the most common cause of death among children living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. They take advantage of the weakened immune system and cause devastating illnesses. Studies with respect to the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV infected Nigerian children are very limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV infected children at Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri and to correlate it with World Health Organization clinical staging. Methods: 100 HIV infected children aged 2-16 years were recruited consecutively at the pediatric infectious disease clinic of the Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri. Diagnostic criteria for opportunistic infections in HIV infected children were based on the hospital's standard clinical protocols aligned with national and international guidelines. They were classified into World Health Organization clinical staging. They were further categorized based on CD4 count values using World Health Organization classification of immune deficiency. Result: The mean age of participants was 9.73 years. Majority of participants (59%) were in World Health Organization Clinical Stage I and (1%) was in stage IV. Pneumonia (68%) was the most common opportunistic infection recorded among participants. Fifty seven percent of subjects had CD4 counts > 500cells/mm3 while 17% had CD4 counts < 200cells/mm.3 There was significant association between opportunistic infections and WHO clinical Staging. Place of residence and socioeconomic status were found to be significant risk factors for development of opportunistic infections. Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of Opportunistic infections in HIV infected children at Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri remained high. Opportunistic Infections majorly occurred with worsening World Health Organisation clinical staging, low socioeconomic status and inhabitants of rural areas. We recommend consideration be given to early screening and treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV infected children.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Chinelo Vivian Okeke, Samson Dayo Ejikunle, Bede Ikenna Nnolim, Idaboh Lilian Oghenetega, Ganiyat Omobola Yusuf, Maria-Lauretta Chito Orji
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Bede Ikenna Nnolim, Consultant Physician, Alex Ekueme Federal University, Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria.
consultant physician Alex EKUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL ABAKALIKI EBONYI NIGERIA
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