Neurodevelopment in early treated HIV-infected infants participating in a developmental stimulation programme compared with controls.

Background: Neurodevelopmental stimulation programmes can improve developmental outcomes. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) started soon after birth potentially limits the invasion of HIV into the central nervous system. A combination of developmental stimulation and early ART initiation may reduce developmental delays in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection.

A description of early neurodevelopment in a cohort of HIV-exposed uninfected children.

: Successful strategies preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission have resulted in increasing numbers of uninfected children exposed to maternal HIV and ART in-utero, and while breastfeeding. Some reports describe exposure as impacting neurodevelopment. : This cross-sectional analysis included 49 of the 70 HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) birth-enrolled children as the control arm of an observational cohort study of early treatment in HIV-infected infants in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The effect of the Hambisela programme on stress levels and quality of life of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: A pilot study.

Background: Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk of having high stress levels and poor quality of life (QOL) which could have a detrimental effect on themselves and their children. Taking caregivers' well-being into consideration is therefore important when providing rehabilitation to children with CP. Interventions to mediate primary caregiver stress and QOL using an educational tool have not been tested in this population in South Africa.

Neurodevelopmental assessment of HIV-exposed uninfected and early-treated HIV-infected children: study protocol.

Objective: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of children at risk of not achieving their developmental potential, attributable largely to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic coupled with negative environmental factors. Childhood developmental stimulation programmes can mitigate adverse outcomes.

Methods: Neonates testing HIV positive at birth will be initiated on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and receive an age-appropriate stimulation program, updated at 3 monthly intervals through the first year of life.