Background: Advances in therapy have allowed children with perinatal HIV infection in the United States to survive into adolescence. We sought to describe the disease status of a large cohort of such children and identify predictors of their current CD4 count and HIV viral load (VL).
Methods: The Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study AMP Protocol is an ongoing prospective study conducted at 15 sites in the United States. Between 2007 and 2009, we enrolled a population-based sample of 451 children with perinatal HIV who were 7-16 years of age at entry.
Results: The median age of subjects at entry was 12.2 years, 53% were female, 70% were African-American, and 24% Hispanic. Their median entry CD4% was 33%, and 78% had a CD4% ≥25%; 68% had a suppressed VL. The more recent birth cohorts (1994-2002) had a significantly higher CD4% over time than the earliest birth cohort (1991-1993). The significant independent predictors of a higher CD4% at entry were a suppressed entry VL, a higher nadir CD4%, and starting antiretroviral therapy at a younger age. The mean CD4% at entry for children with a nadir CD4% ≥25% was 9.5% higher than for those with a nadir CD4% <15% (P < 0.001). Independent predictors of a suppressed entry VL were membership in a recent birth cohort, male gender, highly active combination antiretroviral therapy use at entry, and fewer prior antiretroviral therapy regimens.
Conclusions: Most children with perinatal HIV maintain virologic suppression and good CD4 values. Earlier treatment results in better immune outcome.