Neurologic Manifestations of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Children

• DOI: 10.1542/peds.78.4.678
• Publication Date: 2021-12-11T07:58:05Z
• Authors: Leon G. Epstein; Leroy R. Sharer; James M. Oleske; Edward M. Connor; Jaap Goudsmit; Leta Bagdon; Marjorie Robert-G...; M. Richard Koenig...
• Keywords: Male; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Brain Diseases; Developmental Disabilities; Infant; HIV Antibodies; Antibodies, Viral; Prognosis; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Child, Preschool; Humans; Female; Child; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Follow-Up Studies

This report describes the neurologic manifestations of 36 children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In this cohort, in 16 21 acquired syndrome (AIDS), three 12 AIDS-related complex, and one asymptomatic seropositive children, a progressive encephalopathy developed. Neurologic signs were often detected early but tended to worsen coincident progression immunodeficiency. The presence correlated absence serum neutralizing antibodies HIV poor, usually fatal, outcome. incubation period from initial infection perinatal onset varied 2 months 5 years. Intrablood-brain barrier synthesis HIV-specific was demonstrated eight 14 AIDS indicating active brain HIV. cases unassociated signs. Unique neuropathologic findings who died further suggest that is result primary persistent retrovirus. These broaden spectrum have important implications for development antiviral therapy.