Delayed puberty in HIV positive adolescents attending an opportunistic disease clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Introduction:  Puberty is a complex biological process involving physical and hormonal changes in which the body transitions to sexual maturity.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the magnitude of delayed puberty in older children at an opportunistic disease clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Design: A retrospective data review nested within the clinical outcomes in children and adolescents with chronic HIV in a Zimbabwe Study.

Setting: The opportunistic disease clinic at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Subjects: The sample size was 279 adolescents.

Inclusion Criteria: HIV positive boys 14 years and older and HIV positive girls 13 years and older. Children with Tanner stage assessment.

Main Outcome Measure: The prevalence of delayed puberty was the main outcome measure.

Results: Two hundred and seventy nine (279) adolescents between 13 and 19 years were enrolled. One hundred and sixty, (57.4%) were female and 119 (42.7%) were male. Mean age at enrolment was 16.1 +/-1.9 years. Median CD4 count was 446 (IQR 281- 652) cells/mm3. A total of 96 (54.2%) had undetectable viral load at enrolment. Delayed puberty in males 6/160 (3.75%).  Delayed puberty in females 4/119 (3.36%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of delayed puberty was 3.75% in males and 3.36% in females.