Side effects of paediatric HIV treatment

Side effects of paediatric HIV treatment

Children receiving ARVs can suffer from the same drug side effects that adults experience. Because children’s bodies are still developing, and they are likely to be exposed to treatment for prolonged periods of time, they may be particularly vulnerable to some complications.³¹ Side effects can occur at various stages of a child’s course of treatment, and may be acute (occurring directly after drug administration), sub-acute (within one or two days after administration), or late (after prolonged drug administration). It can be difficult to distinguish between adverse events caused by ARVs given to a child and complications caused by HIV itself, so care should be taken to exclude other possible causes of illnesses before it is concluded that they are a result of ARVs.

The impact of side effects may vary from mild to severe and life-threatening. Some moderate or severe side effects may require drug substitution, or even the discontinuation of treatment. In general, mild side effects do not require such changes, and symptomatic treatment for them may be given. If side effects are regarded as life threatening, all ARVs should be stopped until the child has stabilised.³²