HIV medication may not hurt children's mental health
The families of pediatric HIV patients can save money on their drug costs by purchasing cheap medications through a Canadian internet pharmacy.
The families of pediatric HIV patients can save money on their drug costs by purchasing cheap medications through a Canadian internet pharmacy. While treatments such as antiretroviral drugs can help keep an individual healthy, some pills may cause side effects. A number of medical experts were concerned that children with HIV may develop psychiatric issues because of their medication. However, new research from Stony Brook University suggests that this association does not exist, as reported by HealthDay.
The team of scientists examined the medical records of 319 individuals, aged six to 17 years, who contracted HIV around the time of birth. About one-third of subjects had at least one psychiatric illness.
Results showed no link between mental health and factors such as medication or severity of illness.
"Analyses of HIV disease variables and severity of psychiatric symptoms revealed few specific associations, and we feel compelled to emphasize that findings were variable, mixed and at times counterintuitive," said Sharon Nachman, as quoted by the news source.
One positive association that the researchers found was between severe HIV disease and worsening cognitive function and social skills, as published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Worldwide, more than 1,000 children are infected with HIV every day, according to AVERT, an HIV/AIDS awareness group. In 90 percent of cases, transmission of the virus occurs during pregnancy, labor or breastfeeding.
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