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Globally, 1·7 million children are living with HIV, of which 90% are in sub-Saharan Africa. The remarkable scale-up of combination antiretroviral therapy has resulted in increasing numbers of children with HIV surviving to adolescence. Unfortunately, in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV diagnosis is often delayed with children starting antiretroviral therapy late in childhood. There have been increasing reports from low-income settings of children with HIV who have multisystem chronic comorbidities despite antiretroviral therapy. Many of these chronic conditions show clinical phenotypes distinct from those in adults with HIV, and result in disability and reduced quality of life. In this Review, we discuss the spectrum and pathogenesis of comorbidities in children with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of perinatally acquired HIV infection is a priority. Additionally, there is a need for increased awareness of the burden of chronic comorbidities. Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies need to be collectively developed if children with HIV are to achieve their full potential.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30037-7

Type

Journal article

Journal

The Lancet. Child & adolescent health

Publication Date

09/2020

Volume

4

Pages

688 - 698

Addresses

SA-MRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.