Haematologic features of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in black children in Harare

Forty six Black Zimbabwean children aged between three months and seven years who were admitted into Parirenyatwa Central Hospital with serologically positive and symptomatic HIV infection were investigated for their haematologic profiles. Tests done included full blood counts, manual white cell differential counts, coagulation screening tests and bone marrow aspiration in clinically indicated cases. Anaemia was found in 84 pc, leucocytosis in 60 pc and thrombocytopaenia in 30 pc of the cases. In contrast to reports in adults leucopaenia or neutropaenia were not seen. Coagulation profiles were mostly normal but presumptive diagnosis of circulating coagulation inhibitor was made in one case. Morphological changes suggestive of myeloid dysplasia and in particular dysgranulopoiesis were commonly seen. Bone marrow aspirates examined in eight of the children all showed hyper or normal cellularity with adequate and productive megakaryocytes