A Growth and Nutritional Study of HIV Seropositive Children from West Bengal under Direct Care of Medical Caregivers
SC14-SC16
Correspondence
Dr Arpita Chattopadhyay,
Consultant Pediatric Intensivist, H-1564, Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi – 19, India.
E-mail: Chattopadhyay.arpita@gmail.com
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 Heightfor-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.