Neuropsychological performance in African children with HIV enrolled in a multisite antiretroviral clinical trial. (14th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boivin, Michael J.; Barlow-Mosha, Linda; Chernoff, Miriam C.; Laughton, Barbara; Zimmer, Bonnie; Joyce, Celeste; Bwakura-Dangarembizi, Mutsa; Ratswana, Mmule; Abrahams, Nasreen; Fairlie, Lee; Gous, Hermien; Kamthunzi, Portia; McCarthy, Katie; Familiar-Lopez, Itziar; Jean-Phillippe, Patrick; Coetzee, Joan; Violari, Avy; Cotton, Mark C.; Palumbo, Paul E.
• Is Part Of: AIDS. Volume 32:Number 2(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-14
• Subjects: Africa -- attention -- child development -- executive function -- HIV -- HIV exposed uninfected -- learning -- memory -- neuropsychology; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; AIDS (Disease); Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.9792005
• DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001683
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9370

Abstract

Abstract : Objective and design: Children with HIV infection (HIV+) are at neuropsychological risk, but few studies have evaluated this at multiple sites in low-income and middle-income countries. We compared neuropsychological outcomes at enrollment (>5 years age) among HIV+, HIV perinatally exposed uninfected (HEU), and HIV unexposed uninfected (HUU) children from four sub-Saharan countries. Methods: IMPAACT P1060 compared nevirapine versus lopinavir/ritonavir-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV-infected children 6–35 months of age. The present study (P1104s) enrolled P1060 children at 5–11 years of age and evaluated their neuropsychological performance over 2 years using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (KABC-II), Tests of Variables of Attention (TOVA), Bruininks–Oseretsky Test, 2nd edition (BOT-2), and parent-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Cohorts were compared using generalized estimating equations least-squares means adjusted for site, child age and sex, and personal and social characteristics for child and caregiver. Results: Six hundred and eleven (246 HIV+, 183 HEU, 182 HUU) of the 615 enrolled at six sites [South Africa (three), Zimbabwe, Malawi, Uganda] were available for analysis. Mean age was 7.2 years, 48% male, 69% in school. Unadjusted and adjusted comparisons were consistent. HIV+ children performed significantly worse than HEU and HUU cohorts on all KABC-II cognitive performance domains and on BOT-2 total motor proficiency ( P < 0.001), but not on the BRIEF Global Executive Indices. HUU and HEU cohorts were comparable on cognitive outcomes. HIV+ children initiated on ART before 1 year of age had significantly better BRIEF evaluations (lower scores - fewer behavior problems), compared with those started after ( P = 0.03). Conclusion: Significant cognitive deficits were documented among HIV+ children at school age, even when started on ART at an early age. Earlier HIV treatment, neuropsychological monitoring, and rehabilitative interventions are all needed. Subsequent testing for 2 more years will help further evaluate how HIV infection and exposure affect the developmental trajectory. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text