Peripheral neuropathy prevalent among children taking ART in South Africa

WASHINGTON — Peripheral neuropathy appears to be common among rural South African children with HIV who are currently taking antiretrovirals, according to study researchers who presented their data during the XIX International AIDS Conference here.

Although peripheral neuropathy is a known to be a result of HIV infection among adults and is also caused by some ART, little data are available on the prevalence, manifestations and risk factors for neuropathy in children.

Therefore, Remco P. H. Peters, MD, PhD, and colleagues used the neuropathy symptom score (NSS) and neuropathy disability score (NDS) to screen for peripheral neuropathy in a cohort of children on ART. Peters is project manager for Anova Health Institute’s Khutšo Kurhula Project in Limpopo, in the Mopani district of South Africa.

Investigators included in their cross-sectional study 182 children aged 5 to 15 years. Subjective and objective assessment of neuropathy was taken. A definite diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy was defined by NSS of at least 3 or NDS of at least 2.

Ninety-six percent of the children (174/182) completed their neuropathy screening. The median age of the children was 9 years, and median time on ART was 2 years; 86% of the children were on a stavudine (Zerit, Bristol-Myers Squibb)-containing regimen.

Forty-nine children (27%) reported neuropathy symptoms, and 25 children (14%) had a positive score. Forty-one (24%) children fulfilled the criteria of peripheral neuropathy, which appeared to be associated with older age (P=.09) and longer time on ART (P=.06), according to the study findings.

“The NSS and NDS can be used to screen for this condition in resource-poor settings,” the researchers said.

For more information:

• Remco PHP. #MOAB0205. Presented at: XIX International AIDS Conference; July 22-27, 2012; Washington, D.C.