Cognitive function in HIV infected children

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine whether there is a difference in Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II, Second Edition (BSID-II) Mental Developmental Index Scale (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index Scale (PDI) in HIV infected children and if the results on the BSID-II are influenced by gender, race, ethnicity, CD4 count and disease status. This was a retrospective chart review of 120 subjects. These children were assessed with the BSID-II at regular intervals as part of their treatment in an HIV Outpatient Clinic of a local hospital. Overall, 43.4% of the children scores on the BSID-II MDI Index fell within the normal limits, with a mean MDI score of 78.48. On the BDSID-II PDI Index, 42.4% of the scores fell within normal limits with a mean PDI score of 79.32. It was found that as the children's CD4 count decreased their performance on the MDI and PDI Scales also decreased. The children who experienced symptoms of HIV illness had lower CD4 counts. The children who were symptomatic fell in the mildly to significantly delayed classification range on both the MDI and the PDI Scale Indices. More males than females presented asymptomatic, 58.3% and 64.1% respectively, chi2(1)=4.76, p>.05. This finding is potentially reflective of the study sample or possibly due to differences in the course of illness in females. There was no significant relationship found between ethnicity and gender as they relate to BSID-II Scale scores.