A Growth and Nutritional Study of HIV Seropositive Children from West Bengal under Direct Care of Medical Caregivers.

AIM

To evaluate the nutritional status of HIV seropositive children, aged 2-10 years with age - matched controls and examine the role of nutritional intervention and HRT on their growth indices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It was a cross-sectional study done at a HIV Clinic of a teaching hospital. Fifty six seropositive children (age 2-10 year) classified as cases, and 60 seronegative age - matched controls were taken. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were collected via valid instruments. HIV grading and adherence to HRT were assessed by using validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

Of the cases majority (87.5%) were infected by vertical transmission from mother to child, the remaining were infected by blood transfusion out of which 1.78% were haemophiliacs and remaining were thalassaemics. The prevalence of underweight among cases was 64.3%, compared to prevalence of 61% among controls. The prevalence of stunting was 44.6% among cases, while the prevalence of severe stunting was 14.3%. The prevalence of wasting among cases was 30.35%, while 7% cases were severely wasted. Only 23.33% controls were wasted. There was a significant difference in the Height- for-age between cases and controls, in the age of 4 years, 5 years and 6 years (p-value <0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was a significant difference in the Height- for-age between cases and controls, in the age of 4 years, 5 years and 6 years, indicating the need for proper nutritional intervention and timely HIV antiretroviral therapy to prevent stunting.