Effects of Anti-Retroviral Therapy with Duration on Physical Growth and CD4 Count among Age Group 5 to 16 Years in HIV Patients at Karunalayam- Telangana State- Cohort Study

In the last 30 years, HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has proving “inherently untreatable” disease in spite of eminently approved ART. Aims & Objectives: 1. To study ART effects on physical growth and CD4 count in HIV children. 2. To study whether good Nutrition, better care and support can extend the life span. 3. To assess the effects of ART on attaining maturity. Materials and Methods: It is a cohort study on 87 HIV/AIDS orphan children. Only 67 male & female children - 5 to 16 years age on ART, who were residing at care and support centre karunalayam- Warangal district. Once in 3 months recorded height, weight and CD4 cell count once in 6 months and assessment of maturity once in a year. Study duration: 1^st January 2010 to 31^st December 2016. Results: From 87 children study group, 67 children on ART. The study reveals 35.8% males and 46.2% female children’s height is stunted. 10.4% male and 8.9% of female children were wasted. Signs of maturity were delayed in both sex groups. With ART regime 64.1% improvement in CD4 cell Count. Deaths 8.0%. CFR 5.3%. Conclusion: Better nutrition and early ART can extend the life span in CD4 count > 200 cell/mm³.