High mortality in adolescents and young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV in Thailand during the transition to adulthood

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care remains a challenge for adolescents and young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV (AYA-PHIV). We assessed treatment outcomes and mortality among Thai AYA-PHIV. The study included AYA-PHIV who reached age 18–24 years who started antiretroviral treatment during childhood at five pediatric HIV clinics across Thailand. From November 2020–July 2021, data were gathered from a cohort database, medical records, and the Thai National AIDS Program. Of 811 eligible AYA-PHIV, 93% were alive; median age 22.3 years (IQR 20.6–23.7), treatment duration 16.1 years (IQR 13.4–18.0). Current HIV care was provided in adults (71%) and pediatric clinics (29%). Treatment regimens included non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (55%), protease inhibitors (36%), and integrase inhibitors (8%); 78% had HIV RNA <200 copies/ml. Of the 7.0% who died, median age at death was 20.8 years (IQR 20.6–22.1); 88% were AIDS-related death. Mortality after age 18 was 1.76 per 100-person years (95% confidence interval 1.36–2.28). Those with CD4 <200 cell/mm³ at age 15 had higher risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 6.16, 95% CI 2.37–16.02). In conclusion, the high mortality among Thai AYA-PHIV indicated the need for better systems to support AYA-PHIV during the transition to adulthood.