Executive function in HIV-affected children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analyses

This review aimed to determine: whether EF is affected in children and adolescents (2–24-years-old) with perinatal HIV infection, exposure without behaviourally acquired HIV. A systematic (PROSPERO number: CRD42017067813) was conducted using 11 electronic databases (01.01.1981–09.07.2019) 8 conference websites. Primary quantitative studies scores on cognitive tasks and/or behavioural report measures were included. Meta-analyses performed by subtype subpopulations compared. 1789 records found. Sixty-one included the narrative synthesis; 32 (N = 7884 participants) meta-analyses. There a distinct pattern of reduced those infection antiretroviral therapy compared controls: pooled effect sizes largest for verbal visuospatial working memory, smaller effects planning, inhibitory control set-shifting. Data limited other HIV-affected subpopulations. Perinatal associated varying different subtypes.