The physical sequelae of growing into adolescence with perinatally acquired HIV: a scoping review

Abstract Background Adolescents living with perinatal HIV (PHIVA) are a growing population with unique needs. While the impact of HIV on pediatric physical wellbeing is expansively documented, there is only emerging data on the long-term impact of perinatal HIV infection on adolescence and the resultant physical sequelae. Objective This scoping review aimed to identify and describe what is currently known about the physical sequelae that PHIVA face. Method A scoping review was conducted, following the methodology described by the Johanna Briggs Institute manual for Evidence Synthesis. Electronic databases of MEDLINE (PubMed), PEDro, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Elsevier (Scopus), Elsevier (Science Direct), Google Scholar, CDC Stacks and Open Grey, and reference lists were searched. Two investigators screened the article titles, abstracts and full texts against the inclusion criteria. Data was charted on a data extraction tool, with a descriptive narrative presenting the results. Results Of the 1291 citations screened, eight studies were included. All of the studies were cross-sectional analyses, with only two studies using an HIV-negative comparison group. The studies addressed the physical outcomes of height, weight, body mass index, delayed puberty, physical functioning and activity levels, exercise tolerance and lung function, and pain. These sequelae were categorized into two subgroups: 1) anthropometric characteristics and 2) physical health and functioning. Conclusion The results of this scoping review show that PHIVA face significant physical challenges despite access to antiretroviral therapy. Thus this distinctive population requires unique and specialized healthcare.