Peripheral neuropathy in immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) INFECTED CHILDREN (ABSTRACT)^*. THESIS. NITERÓI, 1999.

ALEXANDRA PRUFER DE QUEIROZ CAMPOS ARAÚJO ^**

Peripheral neuropathy in HIV infected children has not been thoroughly studied as it has been in adults. To determine if symptoms and signs of peripheral neuropathy occur in HIV infected children and to estimate the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in this population, a descriptive cross-sectional study was elaborated.

We evaluated a cohort of 55 children older than five years from the HIV out-patient clinic from the Pediatric Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. A total of 39 children were interviewed and examined systematically for peripheral nerve symptoms and signs, and referred for nerve conduction studies. Of this clinically evaluated group 13 (34%) had symptoms and signs of peripheral nerve involvement.

Distal paresthesiae and/or pain plus diminished ankle jerks and/or diminished vibration sense were the most common clinical findings. Most children were classified as C3, were undernourished and using potentially neurotoxic drug. However, those findings, as well as the presence of encephalopathy and longer disease duration were not significantly associated with the presence of peripheral neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies indicated a predominance of axonal abnormalities.

Peripheral neuropathy occurs in one third of HIV infected children older than five years with similar features as the distal sensory polyneuropathy described in adults.

KEY WORDS: peripheral neuropathy, HIV, AIDS, children.

**Address: Rua Gildásio Amado 55 / 211, 22631-020 Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brasil. E-mail: [e-mail]

*

Neuropatia periférica em crianças infectadas pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) (Resumo). Tese de Doutorado, Universidade Federal Fluminense (Área: Neurologia). Orientador: Osvaldo José Moreira do Nascimento.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  06 Dec 2000
• Date of issue
  Sept 1999