Mental health problems (MHPs) among children with perinatal HIV infection have been described prior to and during the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. Yet child, caregiver and socio-demographic factors associated with MHPs are not fully understood. We examined the prevalence of MHPs among older children and adolescents with perinatal HIV exposure, including both perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) and perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (PHEU) youth. Our aims were to identify the impact of HIV infection by comparing PHIV+ and PHEU youth and to delineate risk factors associated with MHPs, in order to inform development of appropriate prevention and intervention strategies. Youth and their caregivers were interviewed with the Behavior Assessment System for Children, 2nd edition (BASC-2) to estimate rates of at-risk and clinically significant MHPs, including caregiver-reported behavioral problems and youth-reported emotional problems. The prevalence of MHPs at the time of study entry was calculated for the group overall, as well as by HIV status and by demographic, child health, and caregiver characteristics. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with youth MHPs. Among 416 youth enrolled between March 2007 and July 2009 (295 PHIV+, 121 PHEU), the overall prevalence of MHPs at entry was 29% and greater than expected based on recent national surveys of the general population. MHPs were more likely among PHEU than among PHIV+ children (38% versus 25%, p < 0.01). Factors associated with higher odds of MHPs at p < 0.10 included caregiver characteristics (psychiatric disorder, limit-setting problems, health-related functional limitations) and child characteristics (younger age and lower IQ). These findings suggest that PHEU children are at high risk for MHPs, yet current models of care for these youth may not support early diagnosis and treatment. Family-based prevention and intervention programs for HIV affected youth and their caregivers may minimize long-term consequences of MHPs.

Background This study evaluated effects of perinatal exposure to antiretroviral (ARV) medications on neurodevelopment of HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. Methods HIV-exposed, uninfected infants (age 9-15 months) enrolled in SMARTT, a multisite prospective surveillance study, completed the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development—Third Edition (Bayley-III), assessing cognition, language, motor skills, social-emotional development, and adaptive behavior. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between Bayley-III outcomes in infants with and without perinatal and neonatal ARV exposure, by regimen (combination ARV [cARV] versus non-cARV), type of regimen (defined by drug class), and individual ARVs (for infants with cARV exposure), adjusting for maternal and infant health and demographic covariates. Results As of May 2010, 374 infants had valid Bayley-III evaluations. Median age at testing was 12.7 months; 49% male, 79% black, 16% Hispanic. Seventy-nine percent were exposed to regimens containing protease inhibitors (PIs; 9% of PI-containing regimens also included non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NNRTIs]), 5% to regimens containing NNRTIs (without PI), and 14% to regimens containing only nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Overall, 83% were exposed to cARV. No Bayley-III outcome was significantly associated with overall exposure to cARV, ARV regimen, or neonatal prophylaxis. For individual ARVs, following sensitivity analyses, the adjusted group mean on the Language domain was within age expectations but significantly lower for infants with perinatal exposure to atazanavir (p=0.01). Conclusions These results support the safety of perinatal ARV use. Continued monitoring for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in older children is warranted, and the safety of atazanavir merits further study.

Background The impact of pregnancy on efavirenz pharmacokinetics is unknown. Methods International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) P1026s is an on-going, prospective, non-blinded study of antiretroviral pharmacokinetics in HIV-infected pregnant women that included a cohort receiving 600 mg efavirenz once daily as part of combination antiretroviral therapy. Intensive steady-state 24-hour blood sampling was performed during the third trimester and at 6–12 weeks postpartum. Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were drawn at delivery. Pharmacokinetics targets were the estimated 10th percentile efavirenz AUC in non-pregnant historical controls (40.0 mcg.hr/mL) and a trough concentration of 1 mcg/mL. Results Twenty five women were enrolled during the third trimester: median (range) age was 29.3 (18.9–42.9) years, weight 69.0 (40–130) kg, gestational age 32.9 (30.1–38.7) weeks. Median (range) efavirenz AUC0-24, Cmax and C24hour were 55.4 mcg.hr/mL (13.5–220.3), 5.4 mcg/mL (1.9–12.2) and 1.6 mcg/ml (0.23–8.13), respectively. Efavirenz AUC and Cmax did not differ during pregnancy and postpartum but C24hour was lower during the third trimester (1.6 vs. 2.1 mcg/mL, p=0.01). During the third trimester, 5 of 25 (20%) women had an efavirenz AUC below the target and 3 of 25 (12%) had a trough concentration below 1 mcg/mL. Efavirenz cord blood/maternal concentration ratio was 0.49 (0.37–0.74). All women had a HIV-1 RNA viral load less than 400 copies/mL at delivery and 19 (76%) had a viral load below 50 copies/mL. One child was perinatally HIV-infected. Three women were exposed to efavirenz throughout the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. EFV was well tolerated and among the 25 infants no congenital anomalies or newborn complications were reported. Conclusions Changes in efavirenz pharmacokinetics during pregnancy compared to postpartum are not sufficiently large enough to warrant a dose adjustment during pregnancy.