Clinical profile and morbidity pattern of infants born to HIV infected mothers in Durban South Africa

This study describes the clinical characteristics and co-infections in infants born to HIV infected women being followed up in a high risk clinic of South Africa Sixty three percent (302 out of 476) of mothers attended clinic for varying periods during follow-up. Sixty four per cent of babies had physical clinical signs suggestive of HIV infection. In the majority of babies, persistent signs resolved by 9 months of age. In those with persistent signs, 20 percent tested positive for HIV infection. Among the HIV exposed infants, co-infections with TB, CMV, syphilis and Herpes zoster were diagnosed which appeared independent of their ultimate seroconversion status.