Predictors of CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Recovery in HIV-Infected Children on HAART in Ghana
Author Information
Author(s): Lorna Renner, Meghan Prin, Fang-Yong Li, Bamenla Goka, Veronika Northrup, Elijah Paintsil
Primary Institution: University of Ghana Medical School
Hypothesis
What factors predict the time to CD4+ T-lymphocyte recovery in HIV-infected children on HAART?
Conclusion
A targeted approach based on predictors can effectively monitor HAART in HIV-infected children in resource-limited settings.
Supporting Evidence
- Children aged 1-5 years recovered faster than older children.
- Having at least one parent alive significantly predicted faster recovery.
- Female gender showed a trend towards faster recovery.
Takeaway
This study found that certain factors, like age and whether a parent is alive, can help predict how quickly children with HIV will recover their immune cells after starting treatment.
Methodology
The study used Cox proportional hazard models to analyze predictors of CD4+ T-lymphocyte recovery in a retrospective cohort of HIV-infected children on HAART.
Potential Biases
Self-reported adherence data may introduce bias as it was not validated.
Limitations
The study is limited to a single center and lacks data on viral loads, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The cohort consisted of HIV-infected children aged 0-18 years, with a near-equal male-to-female ratio and a majority starting treatment at an advanced disease stage.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CL: 55–65
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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