The neurological and neurocognitive function of HIV-infected children commenced on antiretroviral therapy

This prospective study aims to describe the neurological and neurocognitive deficits in HIV-infected children and the short-term effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the observed deficit. 39 children were evaluated before the start of HAART and 30 were reassessed 6month later. The subjects were evaluated with a range of cognitive tests used in everyday clinical practice. At the start of HAART, no child had cranial nerve or cerebellar dysfunction, but 33.3% had evidence of motor dysfunction. By 6months, 1 child had developed cerebellar dysfunction, but there was no statistically significant change in the frequency of motor dysfunction. mean baseline performances on cognitive testing were generally subnormal. Between 33% and 81% of the children recorded subnormal intelligence quotients on various cognitive tests. Mean performances did not change significantly after 6months of HAART.