Visual motor integration delay in preschool children infected with HIV

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes a chronic condition that impacts the immune system resulting in infections and lifelong dependence on medication for survival. The growth and health as well as the economic and food security, psychosocial care, education and family composition of children with the virus are also affected 1. The estimated number of children living with HIV globally in 2018 was 2.1 million 2 and at the time, it was estimated that 260 000 of these children (aged 0 to 14) were living in South Africa, with only 58% on treatment 2. According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNIAIDS) new infections in South African children declined from 25,000 in 2010 to 13,000 in 2017 2. This could largely be due to the increase in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) which reduced vertical HIV infections at birth from 3.6% in 2011 to 1.3% in 2017 3. The National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs 2017-2022, aims to renew the focus on children with HIV and their families to reduce this rate even further 2. Although not yet optimal, the increase in the number of children in South Africa receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) is due to the revision of the ART guidelines in 2013 and 2015 by the South African National Department of Health 4. These revised guidelines specified that for children between the ages of 5-10 years, ART should commence either when symptomatic or when CD4 < 500 cells/μl

Systematic Review of Visual Motor Integration in Children with Developmental Disabilities

“…The literature reported conflicting information regarding the impact of gender on VMI [52][53][54][55][56]. The literature was at a consensus that diagnosis impacts VMI [66][67][68][69][70]. Specifically, ASD, BPI, and CP are associated with VMI deficits [16,[58][59][60][61][62][63][64].…”

“…Another study reported a negative impact on VMI skills in children with primary stereotypic movement disorder [70]. Overall, the literature was at a consensus that diagnosis impacts VMI skills [66][67][68][69][70]. Table 6 provides a summary of the findings.…”

“…Children of very preterm and very low birth weight demonstrated impaired motor functioning and a range of deficits in attention and VMI skills [ 67 ]. For children infected with HIV, a moderate relationship was found between VMI scores, school attendance, and mother's level of education [ 69 ]. Overall, these studies illustrate how children with developmental disabilities often have VMI deficits specific to their diagnosis.…”

“…Other Diagnoses. Five recent studies explored the implications of other diagnoses (e.g., coordination disorders, prematurity, and HIV) and VMI performance in children [66][67][68][69][70]. Three studies examined VMI deficits in children with coordination disorders [66,68,70].…”