Early diagnosis by PCR of HIV1 in children before 18 months born to HIV-positive mothers in Brazzaville

Abstract

Objective: To contribute for improving the care of children before 18 months, born to HIV mothers by early diagnosis of HIV-1 by RT/PCR.
Methods: analytical cross-sectional study carried out at the Ambulatory Treatment Center (ATC) for people living with HIV and at the National Public Health Laboratory of Brazzaville, from January 1, 2010 to 30 June 2018. The study population was made up of pregnant women included in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program and who gave birth to one or more children during that period, their children having the results of the PCR1 available. The tests were statistically significant when the p-value was less than 0.05.
Results: Eighty-six children whose mothers were followed by PMTCT program were screened, of which 5 had a positive PCR and 81 negatives, either 5.8% of the residual transmission rate of HIV-1. The most common age group was between 38 and 47 years (70.9%). They were 58.8% unemployed with a 1st level secondary school level (53.2) and 57.8% single. The rate of CD4 was superior to 350 copies in 65.1%, and the viral load was undetectable in 66.3%. Deliveries were performed vaginally in 79.1% and newborn had received 57% of artificial breastfeeding. Among children, boys represented 59.3% with 40.7% girls, either 1,4 of ratio sex. The bivariate analysis between the results of the PCR and the child’s weight had not shown any significant difference (p >0.05). The newborns were eutrophic so 97.5% of cases including the 5 positive cases of PCR. Among newborns, 69.5% had their PCR results within 60 days of delivery.