Influence of maternal HIV infection on fetal thymus size.
J Perinat Med
; 48(1): 67-73, 2019 Dec 18.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31677377
ABSTRACT
Objective To reveal the effect of a maternal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the fetal thymus size. Methods The sonographic fetal thymus size was measured retrospectively in 105 pregnancies with maternal HIV infection and in 615 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. The anteroposterior thymic and the intrathoracic mediastinal diameter were determined in the three-vessel view and their quotient, the thymic-thoracic ratio (TT ratio), was calculated. The study group was subdivided into three groups by the maternal viral load on the date of ultrasound (<50 cop./mL, 50-1000 cop./mL, >1000 cop./mL). Furthermore, an association between prognostic factors of the HIV infection such as the lymphocyte count, CD4/CD8 ratio, HIV medication and the thymus size, was investigated using correlation analyses. Results Fetal thymus size in pregnancies of HIV-positive mothers showed to be noticeably larger than in uncomplicated pregnancies. The mean TT ratio in the HIV-positive group was 0.389 and in the control group 0.345 (P < 0.001). There was no association between any maternal HIV parameter or medication and the size of the thymus gland. Conclusion Maternal HIV infection was associated with an increased fetal thymus size. Further consequences of intrauterine HIV exposure for fetal outcome and the development of the immune system of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants must be discussed.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Complicaciones Infecciosas del Embarazo
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Timo
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Infecciones por VIH
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Feto
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Female
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Humans
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Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Perinat Med
Año:
2019
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Alemania