FAITH study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FAITH: Fertility evaluation in adults with perinatally acquired HIV infection. A cross-sectional observational study evaluating fertility in adults with perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection using semen analysis in males and transvaginal ultrasound scanning paired with anti-mullerian hormone testing in females.
IRAS ID
231804
Contact name
Sarah Fidler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Although fertility has been investigated in adults with horizontally acquired HIV (infected later in life), there is little data on adults with perinatally acquired HIV (PaHIV) who have been infected from birth with exposure to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and/or uncontrolled HIV throughout pubertal growth and development.
Studies have shown that individuals who have grown up with other chronic inflammatory conditions such as juvenile arthritis may be at risk for decreased reproductive fitness as a consequence of their condition or the medications used to treat them.
Individuals with perinatally acquired HIV (PaHIV) in the UK represent an older cohort than their counterparts in Africa with patients in the UK approaching their late twenties and early thirties. If PaHIV+ individuals have abnormalities in fertility then this will have significant global implications as the worldwide cohort approaches childbearing age.
We aim to assess fertility in adults with PaHIV using semen analysis in males and transvaginal ultrasound scanning paired with Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) testing in females.
The study will be conducted at Imperial College Healthcare NHS trust - St Mary's Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital.
We aim to recruit all patients and complete the study within a 6 month period.
Female participants will undergo a blood test and a trans-vaginal ultrasound scan. Male participants will undergo a blood test and be asked to provide a semen sample.If a participant wishes, they can be provided with their results at a follow up appointment following sample analysis.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1742
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion