OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical, nutritional and
neurodevelopment status of HIV-infected children in a high HIV
prevalence area. METHODS: All HIV-infected children under 15
years of age attending an outpatient clinic of Mozambique
between April and May 2010 were recruited. Clinical data were
collected and physical examination was performed. RESULTS: In
all, 140 children were recruited. The median age at HIV
diagnosis was 2.1 years. Fifty-one percent of the children were
classified in WHO clinical Stages 3 or 4. Median age of
antiretroviral treatment commencement was 3.9 years. Overall,
68% were undernourished, mainly stunted. Forty-four percent
failed to pass the national psychomotor developmental test.
CONCLUSIONS: The pathways for early HIV diagnosis and start of
antiretrovirals in children should be improved in Mozambique.
Malnutrition, especially stunting, and developmental delay were
highly prevalent. Further research focused on early diagnosis of
neurocognitive disorders and on the indications of
antiretroviral treatment commencement based on chronic
malnutrition is required
