HEMOCHROME PARAMETERS DURING THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF LIFE IN CHILDREN WITH PERINATAL HIV-1 INFECTION

Monthly hemochrome parameters were obtained during the first 2 years o f age in 22 children with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus type- 1 (HIV-1) infection and in 58 exposed seroreverted children. Timing an d predictive value of hemochrome modifications were investigated. Excl usion criteria were hemoglobinopathies and zidovudine (AZT) treatment in pregnancy. When AZT treatment was undertaken children were eliminat ed from the study. From the second month of life red blood cell (RBC) counts, hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, and hematocrit values were sig nificantly lower in infected than in uninfected children. RBC counts p rogressively diverged in infected and uninfected children, and mean va lues in the former group never reached 4.10(12)/L. No difference was o bserved in Hb content ratios and RBC size parameters. At 2 months RBC counts, Hb concentrations, and hematocrit values below reference value s were associated with a 15.8 (95% confidence limits [CL]: 5.5-48.8) r elative risk of being infected. In infected infants aged 5 months a de crease in these parameters was associated with an 11.2 (95% CL: 1.6-77 .8) relative risk of developing eventual severe clinical outcome. Low RBC counts, Hb concentrations, and hematocrit values may be included a mong predictive criteria in infants of HIV-1-infected mothers.