HEMATOLOGIC ABNORMALITIES AMONG CHILDREN ON HAART, IN JIMMA UNIVERSITY SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL, SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus, hematological abnormalities are associated with increased risk of disease progression and death. However, the magnitude and severity of hematological abnormalities in those patients who are taking antiretroviral drugs is not known in Ethiopia. Hence this study was conducted to determine the magnitude and severity of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in HIV infected children who are taking highly active antiretroviral therapy in Jimma University Specialized Hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November, 2007 on 64 HIV infected children who have been taking highly active antiretroviral therapy for more than two months in the study hospital. Data were collected using structured questionnaire that included variables related to socio-demographic characteristics, immunohematological profiles and clinical conditions of the study individuals. Data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 12.0.1. RESULT: The prevalence of anemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia among the study children was 21.9%, 7.8% and 4.7%, respectively. Severe life threatening anemia was seen in 2(14.3% of the child). The mean level of hemoglobin, thrombocyte count and CD4 count showed statistically significant increment from the baseline (p- value <0.05). CONCLUSION: Hematologic abnormalities were common problems among the children taking highly active antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, clinicians need to routinely investigate and treat hematological abnormalities before and after treatment and furthermore large scale and longitudinal studies are recommended to strengthen and explore the problem in depth.