Improved growth and anemia in HIV-infected African children taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis

Abstract

The impact of cotrimoxazole (CTX) on growth and/or anemia was investigated in 541 human immunodeficiency virus-infected, antiretroviral therapy-naive Zambian children enrolled in the Children with HIV Antibiotic Prophylaxis trial. Compared with children randomized to receive placebo, children randomized to receive CTX had slower decreases in weight-for-age (P =. 04) and height-for-age (P =. 01), and greater increase in hemoglobin level (P =. 01). These findings argue for expanded early CTX use. © 2011 The Author.