A Study of Aids in Infants Born in Phayao Hospital to Infected Mothers

Abstract

          A study was carried out to follow- up and treat infants diagnosed as being infected with HIV who were admitted for treatment as in patients to the pediatric unit of Phayao Hospital between October 1, 1991 and December 31, 1993, a total of 49 cases. It was found that in 83.7% (41/49) infection was through the mother. Of these 80.5% (33/41) were babies born in Phayao Hospital. The median age at which they developed symptoms was 4 months, the median age at death was 8.5 months. The presenting symptoms that brought the patients to the hospital were fever together with cough and/or diarrhea in 62.4% of cases. On physical examination the patients were found to have weight loss (failure to thrive), hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, chronic diarrhea in respectively 78.0. 56.1, 46.3 and 53.7% of cases. Secondary infections were found in 56.1%. Results ofhematological examination showed anemia in 60% and reduced platelets in 11.4%.