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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
The effect of human immunodeficiency virus infection on birthweight, and infant and child mortality in Urban Malawi
International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 24, No. 5, Year 1995
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Description
Background: Low birthweight, prematurity and Intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) are major determinants of child survival. Therefore, it is important to assess excess mortality due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in populations where low birthweight is common. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 1385 children born to seropositive and seronegative women in urban Malawi. Children were regularly examined and tested for HIV. Results: The mortality rate of children of HIV seropositive mothers was substantially higher (223/1000 at 12 months, 317/1000 at 24 months and 360/1000 at 30 months) than that of children of seronegative mothers (68/1000 at 12 months, 106/1000 at 24 months and 118/1000 at 30 months). The Incidence of prematurity and IUGR was also higher in infants of HIV seropositive mothers than in infants of seronegative mothers (12.7% versus 3.8%, P < 0.001 for premature and 7.7% versus 4.4%, P= 0.02 for IUGR infants). The mother-to-infant HIV-1 transmission rate was 35.1%. After 12 months of age, HIV infected children showed the highest mortality; however, unInfected children of HIV seropositive and children of HIV seronegative mothers had similar mortality. The mean birthweight of HIV infected and uninfected children was not significantly different. In HIV infected children the most frequent causes of death were diarrhoea, pneumonia and failure to thrive. Less common risk factors for child mortality included active maternal syphilis and cervicitis/vaginitis. Conclusions: The substantlal difference in survival among children of HIV infected and uninfected mothers suggests that mortality could be reduced if HIV infection were not a risk factor. To decrease childhood mortality, a combination of interventions such as treatment of sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy and measures to reduce mother-to-infant transmission should be adopted. © 1995 International Epidemiological Association.
Authors & Co-Authors
Taha, Taha E.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Dallabetta, Gina A.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Canner, Joseph K.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Chiphangwi, John D.
Malawi, Zomba
University of Malawi
Liomba, George N.
Malawi, Lilongwe
Ministry of Health Malawai
Hoover, Donald R.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Miotti, Paolo G.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Statistics
Citations: 147
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1093/ije/24.5.1022
ISSN:
03005771
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Malawi
Participants Gender
Female