Objective: To assess the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in HIV infected children (>5 y) receiving stavudine-based combination anti-retroviral treatment (ART) for more than 3 mo in a cross-sectional study.
Methods: History, detailed neurological examination and nerve conduction studies were performed.
Results: Forty children [26 boys; median age - 11.75 y, Inter quartile range (IQR): 9-16 y] were enrolled. The median duration of ART was 43 mo [IQR: 18-69 mo]. The nerve conduction studies were abnormal in four children (10 %). Symptomatic distal sensory polyneuropathy was present in two children, asymptomatic distal sensory polyneuropathy and subclinical distal sensory polyneuropathy was present in one child each.
Conclusions: Distal sensory polyneuropathy is a potential problem in children on stavudine based ART. Children on stavudine based ART need periodic clinical and electrophysiological screening for its early detection.