98%
921
2 minutes
20
Objective: To examine morbidity and mortality risk among HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants.
Design: Secondary data analysis of HEU infants in a prospective cohort study of mother-infant pairs.
Methods: Infants were recruited from immunization clinics (n = 151) in Zimbabwe from February to August 2013, enrolled at 4-12 weeks age, and followed every 3 months until incident HIV-infection, death, or 18-month follow-up. We estimated cumulative mortality probability and hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression, respectively. We also described reported reasons for infant hospitalization and symptoms preceding death. Median weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) and median age were calculated and analyzed across study visits.
Results: Of 1188 HIV-exposed infants, 73 (6.1%) contracted HIV; we analyzed the remaining 1115 HEU infants. In total, 54 (4.8%) infants died, with median time to death of 5.5 months since birth (interquartile range: 3.6-9.8 months). Diarrhea, difficulty breathing, not eating, fever, and cough were commonly reported (range: 7.4-22.2%) as symptoms preceding infant death. Low birth weight was associated with higher mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.66, CI: 1.35-5.25), whereas maternal antiretroviral therapy predelivery (adjusted hazard ratio 0.34, CI: 0.18-0.64) and exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted hazard ratio 0.50, CI: 0.28-0.91) were associated with lower mortality. Overall, 9.6% of infants were hospitalized. Infant median WAZ declined after 3 months of age, reaching a minimum at 14.5 months of age, at which 50% of infants were underweight (WAZ below -2.0).
Conclusion: Clinical interventions including maternal antiretroviral therapy; breastfeeding and infant feeding counseling and support; and early prevention, identification, and management of childhood illness; are needed to reduce HEU infant morbidity and mortality.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8900086 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000002567 | DOI Listing |
Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken)
September 2025
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc), particularly among Black patients. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are critical to screen for and monitor SSc-ILD. We examined whether race-specific and race-neutral PFT reference equations impact classification of restrictive lung disease (RLD) severity in Black and White patients with SSc.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Womens Health (Larchmt)
September 2025
Centre of Excellence Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Biological sex, hormones, and gender uniquely affect health and disease, often resulting in disparities for women across the lifespan and from different racial and ethnic groups, geographical locations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Without intentional investment and infrastructure to support good health and wellbeing for women, half of the world's population remains vulnerable to preventable morbidity and mortality. The Society for Women's Health Research and ECHAlliance-The Global Health Connector convened a women's health program as part of the 10th Annual Science Summit during the United Nations 79th General Assembly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVasc Specialist Int
September 2025
Department of Vascular Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a localized dilation of the abdominal aorta measuring at least 1.5 times its normal diameter. If left untreated, AAA can progress to a life-threatening condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Palliat Med
September 2025
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Radical esophagectomy remains the cornerstone of curative treatment for esophageal cancer, but is frequently complicated by postoperative events, most notably anastomotic leakage. Anastomotic leakage, occurring in up to 30% of cases, is multifactorial in origin and significantly increases morbidity and mortality. This review aims to summarize current management strategies, highlight emerging therapies, and identify persistent clinical challenges related to this complication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF