Challenges to achieving and maintaining viral suppression among children living with HIV

AIDS. 2020 Apr 1;34(5):687-697. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000002454.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the time to, and durability of, viral suppression, among Canadian children living with HIV after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

Design: Prospective, multicenter Canadian cohort study (Early Pediatric Initiation Canada Child Cure Cohort), using both prospective and retrospectively collected data.

Methods: Kaplan-Meir survival estimates with Cox regression were used to determine the time to and risk factors for viral suppression, defined as two consecutive undetectable viral loads (<50 copies/ml) at least 30 days apart after initiation of cART.

Results: A total of 228 children were enrolled between December 2014 and December 2018. The time to viral suppression was significantly shorter among children initiating cART after 5 ≤ 5 vs. years or less of age [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-2.20], among those born after 2010 vs. prior (aHR 1.71, 95% CI 1.04-2.79), and among those without child protection services involvement (aHR 1.44, 95% CI 1.03-2.01). Overall, 27% of children had a viral rebound within 3 years of achieving viral suppression; the risk of viral rebound was significantly lower among children initiating cART after 5 vs. 5 years or less of age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.32, 95% CI 0.13-0.81], those whose families had not received social assistance (aOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.06-0.46), and females vs. males (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26-0.99).

Conclusion: Only 73% of the children in the Early Pediatric Initiation Canada Child Cure Cohort had maintained viral suppression 3 years after it was first achieved. Age at cART initiation, and socioeconomic factors were predictors of both time to viral suppression and risk of viral rebound in this cohort.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Viral Load / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents