Haematological features in children less than 12 years on cotrimoxazole prophylaxis seen in opportunistic onfection clinics at Harare and Parirenyatwa Teaching Hospitals

Abstract

Paediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection has been growing parallel to the adult pandemic. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than two thirds of the people living with HIV in the world. Approximately 90% of children with HIV infection in the world reside in this region. Estimates show that more than 145 000 children were living with HIV in Zimbabwe in 2010[Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, AIDS and TB Unit, Unpublished data]. Maternal to child transmission of HIV accounts for more than 95% of infections in children. Opportunistic infections (OI) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children infected with HIV. These infectious complications are critical indicators of disease progression.