Abstract
IntroductionCase control studies that assess the burden and factors associated with undernutrition and anaemia among HAART naïve HIV infected children in Nigeria is very sparse. This will help to formulate nutritional programs among these children.MethodsSeventy HAART naive HIV infected children aged 18 months and above were as well as seventy age and sex matched HIV negative children were recruited from August 2007 to January 2009 at Paediatric Clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Their bio data, WHO clinical stage, anthropometric measurements, haematocrit, serum albumin and CD4 counts were taken with other parameters according to a study proforma.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting among the HIV infected subjects were 48. 6%,58. 6% and 31. 4% respectively which as significantly higher than 28. 1%, 7. 1% and 28. 1% among the HIV negative controls. 20. 1% of the HIV infected children were marasmic compared to 2. 3% of the controls. Triple anthropometric failure was found in 7. 1% of the subjects as compared to none among the controls. Anaemia is significantly more prevalent among the subjects than the controls (70. 0% vs 31. 4%; p<0. 001). The prevalence of anaemia was higher in the HIV infected subjects with undernutrition. Low socioeconomic status, hypoalbuminemia and severe immunosuppression are significantly associated with higher undernutrition prevalence.ConclusionSeveral years after availability of HAART, undernutrition and anaemia remain widely prevalent among newly presenting HAART naïve HIV infected Nigerian children. Nutritional supplementation and evaluation for anaemia still need close attention in the management of these children.
Highlights
Case control studies that assess the burden and factors associated with undernutrition and anaemia among highly active antiretroviral drugs (HAART) naïve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children in Nigeria is very sparse
This study set out to determine, by a crosssectional case-control study, the nutritional status of HAART naïve HIV infected Nigerian children presenting at an ART facility in Ile-Ife children presenting at an ART facility in Ile-Ife, South Western Nigeria
Non-acutely ill, newly diagnosed HIV infected children who are over 18 months of age during the study period and are not on HAART were eligible for inclusion in the study if their caregivers give consent
Summary
Case control studies that assess the burden and factors associated with undernutrition and anaemia among HAART naïve HIV infected children in Nigeria is very sparse. This will help to formulate nutritional programs among these children. Calis et al in a meta-analysis [11] showed that anaemia was a common complication occurring in 50-90% of children living with HIV in both resource-limited and resource-rich setting It is associated with poor quality of life [12]and increased mortality in HIV infected children. This study set out to determine, by a crosssectional case-control study, the nutritional status of HAART naïve HIV infected Nigerian children presenting at an ART facility in Ile-Ife children presenting at an ART facility in Ile-Ife, South Western Nigeria. The prevalence and factors associated with anaemia were evaluated
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