Prevalence and Associated Factors of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction among Children Living with HIV in Sokoto, Nigeria: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
K. Coker Lukman *
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara, Nigeria.
M. Sani Usman
Department of Paediatrics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
Tahir Yusuf
Department of Paediatrics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
M. Jiya Nma
Department of Paediatrics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
O. Isezuo Khadija
Department of Paediatrics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
M. Waziri Usman
Department of Paediatrics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
O. Onazi Sunday
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara, Nigeria.
J. Hano Ibrahim
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara, Nigeria.
E. Ochai John
Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Zamfara, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To determine the prevalence of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and its relationship with age and disease stage among children living with HIV at a tertiary health facility in Sokoto, Nigeria.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study.
Place and Duration of Study: The antiretroviral therapy and paediatric outpatient clinics of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, north-western Nigeria, between June and October 2021.
Methodology: Ninety eligible children living with HIV, aged 18 months to 15 years, and an equal number of age- and gender-matched uninfected peers were recruited using systematic random sampling. M-mode echocardiographic parameters, ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS), were used to assess left ventricular (LV) systolic function.
Results: A total of 180 children (90 HIV-infected and 90 uninfected) were recruited into the study, with a 100% response rate.
The prevalence of LV systolic dysfunction among HIV-infected participants was 32.2%, compared with 3.3% among their uninfected peers (P < 0.01). The associations of LV systolic dysfunction with age and disease stage (clinical and immunological) among HIV-infected participants (ART-exposed and ART-naïve) were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The prevalence of LV systolic dysfunction was relatively high among children living with HIV attending UDUTH, supporting the inclusion of echocardiography in their routine care.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, left ventricle, systolic function, EF, FS