Rapid neurodevelopmental recovery after ART initiation in an infant with HIV encephalopathy

Denise Quincardete; Muhammad Sidat; Gurpreet Seehra; Kiran Mitha; Uneisse Cassia; Alfeu Passanduca; Stella Langa; Sónia Martins; Beatriz Elias; W Chris Buck

doi:10.1177/2050313X221142236

Rapid neurodevelopmental recovery after ART initiation in an infant with HIV encephalopathy

SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2022 Dec 12:10:2050313X221142236. doi: 10.1177/2050313X221142236. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique.
² Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
³ David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Abstract

While there is ample evidence that antiretroviral therapy (ART) can improve cognitive outcomes in older children living with HIV, encephalopathy in infants has historically been considered an advanced disease presentation with less likelihood of neurodevelopmental recovery on treatment. More recent studies suggest that timely ART can halt encephalopathic disease progression and even lead to symptom resolution. Here we present a case of an HIV-positive infant diagnosed with encephalopathy who experienced impressive and rapid improvement with a multi-disciplinary care approach that included physical and occupational therapy and ART.

Keywords: ART; HIV; encephalopathy; infant.

Publication types

Case Reports