Abstract:
Introduction: Over 15 million children who were exposed to HIV perinatally but
uninfected (HEU) are alive globally, and they are faced with multiple risk factors for poor
neurodevelopment. While children who are HIV-infected (HIV+) appear to have worse
neurodevelopmental scores compared to children unexposed and uninfected with HIV
(HUU), the evidence is mixed in children who are HEU. This small descriptive pilot study
aimed to compare neurodevelopmental scores of children who are HIV+, HEU, and HUU
in Kenya.
Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study included children ages 18–36 months
who were HIV+, HEU, or HUU. Neurodevelopment was assessed, along with
sociodemographic, lab, and growth data. Statistical analysis included descriptive
statistics, one-way ANOVA, chi-squared, and adjusted linear regression models.
Results: One hundred seventy two were included (n = 24 HIV+; n = 74 HEU;
n = 74 HUU). Mothers of children who were HEU experienced more depressive
symptoms (p < 0.001). The only neurodevelopmental differences were found among
groups was that children who were HIV+ had higher receptive language scores
(p = 0.007). Lower height-for-age z-scores and being left home alone were associated
with worse neurodevelopmental scores.
Conclusions: Being stunted, left completely alone for at least an hour within the
last week, and having higher sociodemographic status were associated with worse
neurodevelopmental scores. The higher levels of depressive symptoms within mothers
of children who are HEU warrants further investigation.
