Prevalence of tuberculosis among perinatally exposed to HIV and HIV-infected children and predictors of its development

Purpose of the study . To establish risk factors for tuberculosis (TB) in children perinatally exposed to HIV and HIV-infected for the development of corrective measures. Materials and methods . Outpatient records (form No. 025/y) of 216 children perinatally exposed to HIV and 121 children with HIV infection and their parents (281 individuals) were analyzed. The control group consisted of 100 healthy children. Epidemiological (descriptive, evaluative and analytical) and statistical research methods were used in the study. Results . The likelihood of contact with a patient with an active form of TB was significantly higher in perinatally exposed to HIV and HIV-infected children compared to children in the control group (p < 0.001). The risk of TB in HIV-exposed children was 9.1 times higher in foci where both parents were HIV-infected than in foci formed by discordant couples (RR = 5.3; 95% CI 1.7–21.7). Children in study groups who were not vaccinated with BCG had the highest risk of TB compared to children in the control group (RR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.6–2.2). Conclusion . Risk factors for TB in children perinatally exposed to HIV are untimely vaccination against TB or its absence and living in the foci where both parents are HIV-infected. The predictors of the development of TB in HIV-infected children are household contacts with TB patient , late diagnosis of HIV infection, and late prescription of highly active antiretroviral therapy after the formation of severe immunosuppression.