Magnitude and associated factors of peripheral cytopenia among HIV-infected children at University of Gondar Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection may present with isolated or multi lineage cytopenias due to ineffective hemopoeisis or increased peripheral destruction. Thus, peripheral cytopenias are independently associated with increased risk of disease progression and death among HIV infected children. Objective: To determine the magnitude and associated factors of peripheral cytopenia among human immunodeficiency virus infected children at the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital ART clinic, Northwest Ethiopia, from January- April 2020. Materials and Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted on 255 human immunodeficiency virus infected children. None probable convenient sampling technique was used to select the study participant. Socio demographic data were collected by structured questionnaire via face-to-face interview and their medical data were obtained from their followup medical records. Moreover, laboratory tests such as complete blood cell count, viral load, stool examination and blood film were assessed after ethical approval was obtained. The data were entered in to Epi-info version 4.4 and transferred to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors of cytopenia. P-Value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result: The overall magnitude of peripheral cytopenia was 38.9%. Anemia, leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and bi-cytopenia were 21.2%, 12.2%, 11%, 1.6% and 3.9% respectively. Being in the age group of 2-5 years (AOR = 10.02, 95% CI: 2.36 -42.55), AZT based HAART regimen (AOR=5.44, 95% CI: 2.24-13.21), no eating green vegetables (AOR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.26-4.92) and having plasma viral load >1000 copies /ml (AOR =5.38 95% CI: 2.22-13.03) showed significant association with anemia. Conclusion: The predominant peripheral cytopenia among HIV infected children in this study was anemia. It was strongly associated with AZT based HAART type, age below 10 years, children not eating green leafy vegetable and high viral load . Therefore, critical stress should be given for investigation and management of cytopenias in HIV-infected c