Cardiac dysfunction in HIV infected children: A pilot study

Twenty six perinatally acquired HAART-naive HIV positive children asymptomatic for cardiac disease in age group of 1-9years were evaluated for cardiac abnormalities by echocardiography. All children were classified according to the revised CDC classification for HIV infection in children. 20 (76.9%) patients had evidence of cardiac abnormalities on echocardiography. 18 (69.2%) patients in category B had statistically significant abnormal echocardiographic finding (p < 0.02). The commonest echocardiographic abnormalities seen were left ventricular dilatation in 10 (38.5%) and left ventricular hypertrophy in 10 (38.5%) patients. Echocardiographic abnormalities are present even in HIV-infected children who are asymptomatic for cardiac dysfunction.