Malaria Journal (Oct 2007)

The effect of HIV on morbidity and mortality in children with severe malarial anaemia

  • Nzaro Esau,
  • Mimbe Derrick,
  • Rutherford George,
  • McFarland Willi,
  • Banage Flora,
  • Reingold Arthur,
  • Hladik Wolfgang,
  • Malamba Samuel,
  • Downing Robert,
  • Mermin Jonathan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-6-143
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
p. 143

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background Malaria and HIV are common causes of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The effect of HIV infection on morbidity and mortality in children with severe malarial anaemia was assessed. Methods Children Findings Of 847 children, 78 (9.2%) were HIV-infected. Median follow-up time was 162 days (inter-quartile range: 111, 169). HIV-infected children were more likely to die within 7 days (Hazard ratio [HR] = 2.86, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 1.30–6.29, P = 0.009) and within 28 days (HR = 3.70, 95% CI 1.91–7.17, P Conclusion HIV-infected children with severe malarial anaemia suffered higher all-cause mortality and malaria-related mortality than HIV-uninfected children. Children with HIV and malaria should receive aggressive treatment and further evaluation of their HIV disease, particularly with regard to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy.