Background: Higher mortality rates were reported in developing countries during early months of HAART initiation than in developed countries. The study aimed at assessing the effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on liver function of under-fives.
Method: Two hundred and thirty-eight under-fives children were enrolled from five hospitals in Southern Nigeria. Ethical permission and written consent were obtained. Group A involved 91 seropositive-children on HAART regimen while Group B1 involved 24 seronegative-infants who received nevirapine from birth till age 6-week. Group B2 (18) and B3 (48) involved seronegative-children who received co-trimoxazole and were 6-month and 18-month old respectively. Group C involved 11 seropositive-children who received co-trimoxazole only. Group D involved 46 seronegative-children who served as the control group. A 2ml blood sample was obtained from each participant during first phase of the study and was analysed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) using kits manufactured by Randox. Group A children returned for second and third phases of the study after 3-month and 6-month respectively. Data were analysed by using ANOVA.
Results: The results showed that ALT was highest in group A (12.8 ± 11.0 IU/L) suggesting hepatotoxicity while AST was highest in group B2 (35.4 ± 53.1 IU/L). Second phase, ALT and AST of group A were significantly reduced by 39.3% (p < 0.05), 29.9% (p < 0.05) respectively suggesting resolved hepatotoxicity. Third phase, ALT and AST were significantly reduced by .50.6% (p < 0.05) and 32.2% (p < 0.05) respectively suggesting resolved hepatotoxicity.
Conclusion: Hepatotoxicity observed among HIV-infected children on HAART was resolved after 6-month of monitoring.