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Neurodevelopmental outcome of HIV‐exposed but uninfected infants in the Mother and Infants Health Study, Cape Town, South Africa
Author(s) -
Springer Priscilla E.,
Slogrove Amy L.,
Laughton Barbara,
Bettinger Julie A.,
Saunders Henriëtte H.,
Molteno Christopher D.,
Kruger Mariana
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.13006
Subject(s) - bayley scales of infant development , population , pediatrics , medicine , context (archaeology) , prospective cohort study , environmental health , geography , cognition , psychiatry , surgery , archaeology , psychomotor learning
Objectives To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of HIV ‐exposed uninfected ( HEU ) and HIV ‐unexposed uninfected ( HUU ) infants in a peri‐urban South African population. HEU infants living in Africa face unique biological and environmental risks, but uncertainty remains regarding their neurodevelopmental outcome. This is partly due to lack of well‐matched HUU comparison groups needed to adjust for confounding factors. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of infants enrolled at birth from a low‐risk midwife obstetric facility. At 12 months of age, HEU and HUU infant growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes were compared. Growth was evaluated as WHO weight‐for‐age, length‐for‐age, weight‐for‐length and head‐circumference‐for‐age Z‐scores. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated using the Bayley scales of Infant Development III ( BSID ) and Alarm Distress Baby Scale ( ADBB ). Results Fifty‐eight HEU and 38 HUU infants were evaluated at 11–14 months of age. Performance on the BSID did not differ in any of the domains between HEU and HUU infants. The cognitive, language and motor scores were within the average range ( US standardised norms). Seven (12%) HEU and 1 (2.6%) HUU infant showed social withdrawal on the ADBB ( P = 0.10), while 15 (26%) HEU and 4 (11%) HUU infants showed decreased vocalisation ( P = 0.06). There were no growth differences. Three HEU and one HUU infant had minor neurological signs, while eight HEU and two HUU infants had macrocephaly. Conclusions Although findings on the early neurodevelopmental outcome of HEU infants are reassuring, minor differences in vocalisation and on neurological examination indicate a need for reassessment at a later age.