A Comparative Study of Pubertal Development in HIV-Infected and Non-HIV-Infected Boys in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Pubertal abnormalities can occur in HIV-infected boys and have negative effects on reproductive health, final adult height as well as psychosocial health and quality of life. This study was aimed at comparing the pubertal development in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected boys attending two tertiary hospitals in Port Harcourt.

Materials and Methods: A Comparative cross sectional study was carried out involving 80 HIV-infected boys aged 10-18 years and 80 non-HIV-infected boy who were matched for age, sex and socioeconomic class.

Results: The mean age of the HIV-infected boys was 13.22±2.31 while that of the non-HIV-infected boys was 13.24±2.30 and this difference was not statistically significant. On physical evaluation using the Tanner staging method, only 64 (80%) HIV-infected boys had attained puberty as against 76 (95%) in the non-HIV-infected group (ꭓ2= 13.091, p-value=0.011). Pubertal onset occurred at a significantly later age in HIV-infected boys when compared to the non-HIV-infected ones (11.76±1.33 years vs 10.81±0.77 years). Pubertal delay was seen in 2 (2.5%) and this was significantly more common among those who were underweight as well as those in WHO clinical stages 3 and 4.

Conclusion: Pubertal onset occurred at a significantly later age in HIV-infected boys when compared to the non-HIV-infected boys. There is need to monitor pubertal development in HIV-infected boys so that deviations from normal can be promptly identified and necessary interventions given.