Prevalence of malaria and anaemia in asymptomatic HIV infected children in Lagos

Malaria and HIV are causes of severe morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Individuals with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk of clinical malaria and severe illness. Sub-Saharan Africa has a high HIV prevalence. Anemia as a complication of malaria has been associated with increased mortality in HIV-infected children. This study determined the prevalence of malaria in asymptomatic HIV positive children, and the association between malaria and hematologic parameters in the study population. It is a cross sectional study conducted at the Out Patients’ Clinic, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos. Study population comprised HIV infected children aged 1 year - 14 years. 151 children participated in the study between June and November 2016 after a detailed informed consent process. Malaria parasite density, hemoglobin and CD4 cell counts were determined. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among participants was 14.6%. Majority had a CD4 count > 500 cells/μL (85.1%). The prevalence of anemia (Hb < 11.0g/dL) was 29.1% in the study population. No statistically significant association was found between CD4 count and hemoglobin concentration with malaria parasitaemia. This study revealed a low prevalence of malaria and anemia amongst asymptomatic HIV positive children. Keywords: Malaria, Anaemia, CD4, Children, HIV, Prevalence, Lagos