Browsing by Subject "Spastic diplegia"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Resolved lower limb muscle tone abnormalities in children with HIV encephalopathy receiving standard antiretroviral therapy
    (2015) Mann, Theresa N; Donald, Kirsten A; Walker, Kathleen G; Langerak, Nelleke G
    BackgroundThis short report arose from a follow-up study of children previously diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy and spastic diplegia and is among the first to describe that increased lower limb muscle tone in children with a confirmed HIV encephalopathy diagnosis may resolve over time in some cases.ResultsOf 19 children previously diagnosed with HIV encephalopathy and increased lower limb muscle tone, some were found to have resolved muscle tone abnormalities during a follow-up physical examination [resolved group, n=13, median age 9years 7months (interquartile range 7years 3months–10years 9months)] whereas others continued to show increased lower limb muscle tone at follow-up [unresolved group, n=6 median age 8years 6months (interquartile range 7years 9months–9years 7months)]. A review of clinical records showed no significant differences in age or follow-up time between the resolved and unresolved groups. However, the unresolved group appeared to have severe disease at an earlier age than the resolved group, based on the age at antiretroviral treatment initiation [median age at start of treatment 2years 3months (interquartile range 7months–5years 3months) vs. 8months (interquartile range 6–12months), p=0.08] and had more severe neurological signs at the initial assessment.ConclusionsIt is anticipated that this information may be of immediate value to those involved in the treatment of children with HIV encephalopathy and increased lower limb muscle tone whilst awaiting the outcome of future controlled clinical trials.