Ventricular function and dimensions in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Background Prevalence of cardiac complications in children 'With human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have increased, in association 'With the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and the decrease of opportunistic infections. However, studies on cardiac complications in HIV patients in the various HIV clinical and immunologic categories have been limited. Furthermore, cardiac complications in Indonesian HIVinfected children have never been reported. Objectives To detennine the prevalence of cardiac complications in HIVinfected children and to compare ventricular function and dimensions based on HIV clinical and immunologic categories. Methods A crossMsectional study was done in the Department of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta between October and December 2009 on 7 4 HIVMinfected children aged below 15 years. Children with severe chronic or acute systemic diseases were excluded. Investigations included physical examinations, 12Mlead electrocardiography and echocardiography to assess left ventricular dimension and ventricular function. Cardiac findings among children in different clinical and immunological categories were compared. Results Five children showed left ventricular fractional shortening below 25% and 16 had right ventricular dysfunction. Mean cardiac function and dimension were in the normal range. No differences in cardiac function and dimension, among the clinical HIV category groups (p>0.05) or immunologic suppression status groups (p>0.05) were observed. Conclusion In children 'With HIV infection, the prevalence of left ventricular dysfunction and right ventricular dysfunction was 7% and 22%, respectively. No differences in cardiac function and dimension were found among the different HIV clinical and immunological categories.