BACKGROUND: Relatively few human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children worldwide have access to care and treatment. The Romanian-American Children's Center, a collaborative project of a U.S. health care institution and the Romanian government, has established a comprehensive program of highly active antiretroviral therapy for children in Constanta, Romania. OBJECTIVES: To describe the design and outcomes of a program of pediatric HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) care and treatment in a resource-poor setting. SETTING: Outpatient center providing comprehensive primary and HIV/AIDS specialty care and treatment to all known HIV-infected children living in Constanta County, Romania. OUTCOMES: As of August 2003, a total of 452 children were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Therapy has been well-tolerated, with approximately 90% of children continuing to receive treatment after a median duration of follow-up of 67 weeks. Normal weight and height growth velocities have been observed among treated children. Marked decreases have been observed in rates of hospitalization and mortality. The mean change in CD4+ lymphocyte count for 173 children who have both a baseline count and at least 1 follow-up count is +284 cells/microL (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Highly active antiretroviral therapy can be administered safely and effectively to children in a resource-poor setting, with outcomes comparable with those observed in U.S. pediatric antiretroviral clinical trials.
BACKGROUND: Relatively few human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infectedchildren worldwide have access to care and treatment. The Romanian-American Children's Center, a collaborative project of a U.S. health care institution and the Romanian government, has established a comprehensive program of highly active antiretroviral therapy for children in Constanta, Romania. OBJECTIVES: To describe the design and outcomes of a program of pediatric HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) care and treatment in a resource-poor setting. SETTING:Outpatient center providing comprehensive primary and HIV/AIDS specialty care and treatment to all known HIV-infectedchildren living in Constanta County, Romania. OUTCOMES: As of August 2003, a total of 452 children were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Therapy has been well-tolerated, with approximately 90% of children continuing to receive treatment after a median duration of follow-up of 67 weeks. Normal weight and height growth velocities have been observed among treated children. Marked decreases have been observed in rates of hospitalization and mortality. The mean change in CD4+ lymphocyte count for 173 children who have both a baseline count and at least 1 follow-up count is +284 cells/microL (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Highly active antiretroviral therapy can be administered safely and effectively to children in a resource-poor setting, with outcomes comparable with those observed in U.S. pediatric antiretroviral clinical trials.
Authors: Sam Sophan; Chhour Y Meng; Polidy Pean; Joseph Harwell; Elizabeth Hutton; Sonia Trzmielina; Mohan Somasundaran; Katherine Luzuriaga; David Pugatch Journal: Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health Date: 2010-01 Impact factor: 0.267
Authors: Richard S B Wanless; Sorin Rugină; Simona Maria Ruţă; Irina-Magdalena Dumitru; Roxana Carmen Cernat; Heidi L Schwarzwald; Nancy R Calles; Gordon E Schutze; Ana-Maria Schweitzer; Heather R Draper; Mark W Kline Journal: Germs Date: 2013-09-01
Authors: Patricia Myung; David Pugatch; Mark F Brady; Phok Many; Joseph I Harwell; Mark Lurie; John Tucker Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-04-26 Impact factor: 9.308