Browsing by Subject "Developmental delay"

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    Open Access
    HIV Encephalopathy: pediatric case series description and insights from the clinic coalface
    (BioMed Central, 2015-01-17) Donald, Kirsten A; Walker, Kathleen G; Kilborn, Tracy; Carrara, Henri; Langerak, Nelleke G; Eley, Brian; Wilmshurst, Jo M
    Background: The Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) can manifest neurologically in both adults and children. Early invasion of the central nervous system by the virus, affecting the developing brain, is believed to result in the most common primary HIV-related neurological complication, HIV Encephalopathy (HIVE). In countries such as South Africa where many children have not been initiated on antiretroviral treatment early, HIVE remains a significant clinical problem. Methods: Children were selected from a clinic for children with neurologic complications of HIV, located at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, South Africa 2008–2012. Eligible subjects fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: aged 6 months-13 years; positive diagnosis of HIV infection, vertically infected and HIVE as defined by CDC criteria. Each participant was prospectively assessed by a Pediatric Neurologist using a standardized proforma which collated relevant details of background, clinical and immunological status. Results: The median age of the 87 children was 64 months (interquartile range 27–95 months). All except one child were on antiretroviral treatment, 45% had commenced treatment <12 months of age. Delayed early motor milestones were reported in 80% and delayed early speech in 75% of children in whom we had the information. Twenty percent had a history of one or more seizures and 41% had a history of behavior problems. Forty-eight percent had microcephaly and 63% a spastic diplegia. CD4 percentages followed a normal distribution with mean of 30.3% (SD 8.69). Viral loads were undetectable (
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    Open Access
    The validation of a new development screening tool for developmental delays among HIV-Infected South African children
    (2015) Boyede, Ojombo Gbemisola; Donald, Kirsten A; Eley, Brian
    Background: Over 50% of HIV-infected children in South Africa have developmental delays. Early identification of affected children will lead to early intervention and favourable long-term outcome. Screening for developmental delay is not yet routine by many primary healthcare providers due to lack of locally available, rapid and sensitive screening tool s in busy Paediatric HIV clinics. A new screening tool was developed at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital (RCWMCH) for detecting moderate to severe global developmental delay among very young HIV infected children. The diagnostic accuracy and usefulness of the new tool was evaluated in this study. Objective: to validate the new RCWMCH developmental screening too l among HIV - infected South African children. Method: Forty-seven HIV-infected children in the age category 9-36 months attending the Infectious Disease Clinic (IDC) of the RCWMCH were screened using the new tool. Full developmental assessments of same children were performed using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID - III). Developmental Delay (global) was defined as composite scores 2 standard deviations below the mean in two or more developmental domains. Results: The sensitivity of the RCWMCH tool was 78.5%, specificity 54.6%, positive predictive value was 42.6%, and negative predictive value was 85. 7 %. Discussion: The RCWMCH screening tool was found to have sensitivity within the acceptable levels recommended for developmental screening tools. Its high negative predictive value will reduce unnecessary referrals for full developmental assessments in asymptomatic infants and toddlers. It is therefore recommended for screening for developmental delay among HIV-infected children from the age of 9 months to 3 years.