Prevalence of risk factors for chronic kidney disease in South African youth with perinatally acquired HIV

BackgroundLittle is known about renal pathology among perinatally HIV-infected children and adolescents in Africa. We assessed the prevalence of risk factors for chronic kidney disease in South African children and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV-1 (HIV+) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-negative children and adolescents.MethodsHIV+ youth aged 9-14years, on ART for >6months and age-matched HIV-negative children and adolescents were eligible for assessment of proteinuria and microalbuminuria using urine dipstick and Vantage analyser method. Blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, HIV-related variables and metabolic co-morbidities were assessed at enrolment.ResultsAmong 620 children and adolescents, 511 were HIV+. The median age was 12.0years and 50% were female. In HIV+ children and adolescents, 425 (83.2%) had a CD4 count >500 cells/mm(3) and 391 (76.7%) had an undetectable viral load. The median duration of ART was 7.6years (IQR 4.6-9.3) with 7 adolescents receiving Tenofovir. The prevalence of any proteinuria, microalbuminuria and hypertension was 6.6%, 8.5% and 13.9%, respectively, with no difference between HIV+ and negative children and adolescents. All participants had a normal glomerular filtration rate. There was no association between metabolic co-morbidities and microalbuminuria.ConclusionsProteinuria and microalbuminuria appear to be uncommon in this population. Follow up of those with microalbuminuria may inform long-term outcomes and management of this growing population of HIV+ youth.