Screening for Microalbuminuria in HIV-Positive Children in Enugu

Abstract EN

Background.

Human immunodeficiency virus associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is a rapidly progressive chronic renal parenchymal disease that occurs in HIV-infected individuals and manifests commonly as proteinuria, which is preceded by microalbuminuria (MA).

This clinical entity is defined as a spot urine albumin of 20–200 mg/L.

Objectives.

To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in HIV positive children in UNTH, Enugu and compare it with that of HIV-negative children.

Methods.

A total of 154 HIV positive children aged 18 months to 14 years and 154 HIV-negative children of corresponding attributes were screened for microalbuminuria, using Micral test II strip which has a sensitivity of 90–99%.

Results.

No child among the groups (HIV positive and negative) had microalbuminuria.

Majority (96.0%) of HIV-positive children had nonadvanced HIV disease at the time of the study (P=0.00).

About 77.3% were using HAART (P<0.0001), the mean CD4 cell count of the subjects was 709.2±443.9 cells/mm3; while 78.0% had nonsevere immunosuppression (P=0.00).

Furthermore, HIV-positive children with severe immunosuppression were younger and had shorter duration of treatment.

Conclusion.

Microalbuminuria may not be very common in Nigerian children irrespective of their HIV status.