African-American and Hispanic HIV-infected youth are a high risk group for not remaining in HIV care. We examined differences in retention in care among 174 HIV-infected African-American and Hispanic youth between 13 and 23 years old who presented for HIV primary care between 1 January 2002 and 31 August 2008. Patients were included in three service eras, based on when they entered the clinic: when no youth-specific services were available (the decentralized era), after formation of a youth clinic staffed by adolescent providers and a case-manager (the centralized era), and after educational activities and support groups were added and the social services staff were trained in the use of motivational interviewing (the centralized with supportive services era). Patient and attendance data for the 12-months following entry into care were captured. Retention in HIV care was examined using two different measures: adequate visit constancy (at least three quarters with at least one visit in each quarter) and having a gap in care (two consecutive medical visits ≥180 days apart). Adequate visit constancy improved by service era from 31% in the decentralized era to 57% in the centralized era and 65% in the centralized with supportive services era (p=0.01). The percent of patients with no gap in care remained stable at about 80% in the decentralized and centralized eras, but then increased to 96% in the centralized with supportive services era (p=0.04). Results suggest that centralizing youth-specific care and expanding youth services can improve retention in HIV care. These system changes should be considered when resources allow.
Features associated with lipodystrophy syndrome arise in some HIV-infected children. Subjects receiving pediatric dosing regimens were less likely than those receiving adult regimens to develop lipodystrophy.
With advances in antiretroviral therapy, most HIV-infected children survive into adulthood. Optimal health care for these youth includes a formal plan for the transition of care from primary and/or subspecialty pediatric/adolescent/family medicine health care providers (medical home) to adult health care provider(s). Successful transition involves the early engagement and participation of the youth and his or her family with the pediatric medical home and adult health care teams in developing a formal plan. Referring providers should have a written policy for the transfer of HIV-infected youth to adult care, which will guide in the development of an individualized plan for each youth. The plan should be introduced to the youth in early adolescence and modified as the youth approaches transition. Assessment of developmental milestones is important to define the readiness of the youth in assuming responsibility for his or her own care before initiating the transfer. Communication among all providers is essential and should include both personal contact and a written medical summary. Progress toward the transition should be tracked and, once completed, should be documented and assessed. Pediatrics
Highly active antiretroviral therapy can be administered safely and effectively to children and adolescents in resource-limited settings. Lopinavir/ritonavir-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy is a safe, effective, and durable treatment option for antiretroviral drug-experienced older children and adolescents with advanced HIV disease.
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