HIV/AIDS e suas repercussões na audição em crianças

Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), transmitted by Human Immunodeficiency Vírus (HIV) it attacks the immune system, which may cause adverse effects on the general state of health, and in particular, the hearing health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hearing of children with HIV/AIDS and to assess the association of audiological findings in children with HIV/AIDS, relating them to the viral load, the opportunistic diseases and to antiretroviral treatment (TARV) instituted. We analyzed 23 children with HIV/AIDS that were followed at two specialized care services (SCS). Those responsible for the children responded to a questionnaire that included data on the clinical situation and the hearing health of children, which was subsequently complemented by information contained in medical records. Then, the external acoustic meatus was inspected and where necessary, the children were referred to the ent propitiate the realization of the audiological exams. The audiological evaluation was composed by examination of audiometry and immitanciometry (tympanometry and stapedial reflexes). For descriptive analysis of the data was used to the technique of inferential statistics, using Fisher's exact test, when the conditions for use of the test thur-square has not been verified. They were complied with the guidelines for research involving human beings contained in Resolution CNS N° 196/1996. There was an occurrence of hearing loss by ear in 84.8 % of the children analyzed, prevailing a percentage of 76.9 % of hearing loss discrete and 67.4 % for tympanometry curve type B. The otologic manifestations were observed in 65.2 % of the children, with the ear pain to the highest occurrence (66.7 %), there was no significant association with hearing loss (p=0.001). In relation to the association of hearing loss with the causal factor, there was no statistically significant association with the use of anti-retroviral therapy (p=0.031) and with the otitis (p=0.003), not showing for the variables viral load and the number of opportunistic diseases (p>0.05). The study showed the presence of hearing loss in children with HIV/AIDS, associated with the use of TARV and the otitis, but possibly not related solely to these, suggesting risks of damage to the linguistic development of children. The auditory follow in children with HIV/AIDS is important to diagnose and intervene as soon as possible on the possible causal factors of hearing loss, in order to preserve the hearing and to promote a development appropriate language, thus reducing the difficulties in the process of learning, education and social inclusion.