Asthma and Atopy Prevalence in Perinatally HIV-Exposed but Uninfected Children.

OBJECTIVE: Increased atopy prevalence has been reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults. Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that there was no increased prevalence of atopy in perinatally HIV-infected children compared with the general population. This has not been studied in uninfected children. This study investigates the prevalence of asthma and atopy (i.e., allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, general allergies) in perinatally HIV-exposed, uninfected compared with HIV-unexposed, uninfected children. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified patients (F/M, 0 to 21 y/o) seen at an academic center between the years 2005-2025. Patients were either perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (N=62) or control group (N=60) (HIV-unexposed, uninfected). Using SAS v9.4.3, prevalence of asthma/atopy by HIV exposure was analyzed. RESULTS: Prevalence of atopy was higher in perinatally HIV-exposed, uninfected versus HIV-unexposed, uninfected children (P=<0.0001). Asthma prevalence was higher in HIV-unexposed, uninfected children compared with controls (P=0.0198). Of asthmatic children, the prevalence of atopy was higher in HIV-exposed, uninfected children (P=0.0030) (Fisher's Exact test). CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of allergy and atopy in perinatally HIV-exposed, uninfected children may be linked to dysregulated inflammatory processes in association with intrauterine/perinatal HIV exposure.