Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39849418›Full record

ArticleBMC endocrine disorders2025

Assessment of the impact of HIV infection on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and pubertal development among adolescent girls at a tertiary centre in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study.

Bothwell Takaingofa Guzha, Bismark Mateveke, Hamish Mubata, Tapiwa Chapupu, Vongai Dondo, Maxwell Chirehwa, Rendani Tshikosi, Tsungai Chipato, Zvavahera Mike Chirenje

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC endocrine disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Bothwell Takaingofa GuzhaFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe. bguzha@uz-ctrc.org.
Bismark MatevekeFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Hamish MubataFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Tapiwa ChapupuFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Vongai DondoFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Paediatrics, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, USA.
Maxwell ChirehwaFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Biostatistics Unit, Stellenbosch University, P.O. Box 241, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa.
Rendani TshikosiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, Old Main Building Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
Tsungai ChipatoFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Zvavahera Mike ChirenjeFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundProper planning of reproductive health needs for HIV-infected adolescents requires a clear understanding of the effects of HIV infection on adolescents' pubertal development.

objectiveTo assess the effects of HIV infection on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, ovarian reserve and pubertal development in adolescent girls at a tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe.

methodsThis was a cross-sectional survey of HIV-infected adolescent girls aged 10-19 years, with available CD4 + count results at a tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe. Consecutive sampling was used to select study participants. Pubertal milestones were assessed using the age of menarche and Tanner stage for breast and pubic hair development. Growth was assessed using World Health Organisation growth charts. The HPO axis was evaluated by measuring serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and estradiol. The ovarian reserve was assessed in adolescents above 18 years of age by measuring the serum anti-mullein hormone (AMH) levels. Data were analysed in STATA version 13.0, and the results are presented as mean (SD) or median (quartiles) and proportions, as appropriate.

resultsOne hundred and one (101) HIV-infected adolescents were recruited for the study. Menarche, thelarche and pubarche were delayed in 15.9%, 28.6% and 46.8% of the adolescents, respectively. A total of 59.4% had moderate to severe stunting, and 53.5% were either overweight or obese. Most participants had normal serum FSH, LH, and estradiol levels, and there was no association between these hormone levels and growth indicators. The serum AMH levels were reduced in 24.1% of the adolescents. There were no significant differences in the hormonal levels and pubertal development between the WHO CD4 classes.

conclusionHIV infection is associated with stunted growth and delayed sexual maturation with an intact HPO axis in the majority of adolescents. There was no association between growth indicators and FSH and LH levels. The degree of HIV immunosuppression had no significant impact on the HPO axis and pubertal development. A larger study is needed to assess the impact of HIV infection on ovarian reserve.

trial registrationThis protocol was approved by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ) (reference number MRCZ/A/1730).

Indexed as

HIV InfectionsHypothalamo-Hypophyseal SystemOvaryPubertyAdolescentChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansOvarian ReserveTertiary Care CentersYoung AdultZimbabweAdolescent girlsHIVHypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axisOvarian reserveTertiary hospitalZimbabwe

Identifiers

PMID39849418
PMCPMC11756216

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.