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Cognitive impairments in Polish children and adolescents with perinatal HIV infection

 

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the presence of cognitive impairments in children and adolescents with vertically transmitted HIV infection and to determine possible relationships with clinical and sociodemographic variables.

Method. The study included: 50 children with perinatal HIV infection aged 6–18 years (PHIV+), 24 healthy children perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (PHEU) and 43 healthy children of uninfected parents (HIV-nA). CANTAB Research Suite was used to assess cognitive impairments.
Results. In comparison with the HIV-nA group, the PHIV+ group scored significantly lower in shifting of attention, cognitive flexibility, use of feedback, and working memory. In comparison with the PHEU group, the PHIV+ group had significantly longer planning time while performing the task. The analysis of results for the 12–18 year-old age group revealed deterioration of cognitive functions in all tests of the PHIV+ children in comparison with the HIV-nA group. A higher logarithm of viral load at the start of the ARV treatment was associated with lower results in the use of feedback, shifting of attention, cognitive flexibility, and worse information processing.
Conclusions. Results of the research indicate deterioration of executive functioning in the PHIV+ group associated with longer duration of HIV neuroinfection and severity of infection before treatment.