Growth and development of children living with human immunodeficiency virus in South India a comparative study
Journal Title: Indian Journal of Child Health - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Children living with human immunodeficiency virus (CLHIV) are physically stunted and underweight compared to normal children. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the physical growth (height, weight, and body mass index [BMI]) of children infected with HIV according to age, gender, sociodemographic factors, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and health status and to compare their physical growth with two other groups, i.e., exposed uninfected children and unexposed uninfected children and to determine the extent of growth retardation and the effect of ART on the reversal of growth retardation. Materials and Methods: A 3-year study on growth and development of CLHIV was conducted at Action, Service, Hope Foundation, a non-governmental institution working in the field of HIV/AIDS. Three groups of children were compared - 63 CLHIV, 98 exposed uninfected children, and 70 unexposed uninfected children. Their nutritional status in terms of weight for age, height for age, BMI, sexual maturity, hemoglobin, and serum albumin were compared. Results: Among CLHIV, 28.1% of children were underweight with Z score of <−2, compared to 12.5% of exposed uninfected children, and 14.3% unexposed uninfected children. Height for age Z scores showed 29.8% were stunted with Z score <−2 among CLHIV, with 16.7% and 11.4% among the exposed uninfected and unexposed uninfected, respectively. Statistically significant difference was also observed in Tanner’s sexual maturity with CLHIV showing slower sexual maturation. The incidence of anemia was highest among CLHIV and slightly higher in those on ART. Conclusions: This study shows that CLHIV are comparatively more stunted heightwise and have decreased weight for age, delayed sexual maturation, and more significant anemia when compared to exposed uninfected children and unexposed uninfected children. This physical growth retardation is not reversed completely by addition of ART.
Authors and Affiliations
Glory Alexander, Sarita Rao, Saranya Sathish, Ram Babu
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP454710
- DOI -
- Views 80
- Downloads 0
Renal nuclear isotope study using dimercaptosuccinic acid in evaluating renal parenchymal changes in urinary tract infection in children
Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common diseases in childhood. The diagnosis and management of complicated UTI are difficult. The renal cortical scintigraphy using dimercaptosuccinic acid (DM...
Clinical profile of children with diabetic ketoacidosis and related cerebral edema in a tertiary care hospital from Southern Kerala
Objective: To study the clinical profile of children admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care teaching hospital. To assess the risk factors for the developm...
Efficacy and safety of racecadotril as an adjunct to oral rehydration therapy for acute watery diarrhea in children
Background: Racecadotril, an enkephalinase inhibitor with antisecretory action is a safe and effective treatment for acute diarrhea for children and adults. As an adjunct to oral rehydration therapy (ORT) in Indian child...
Intranasal versus intravenous midazolam in control of generalized tonic–clonic seizures in children
Background: Seizures are very common in pediatric patients. As the duration of seizures impacts morbidity and mortality to child’s life, control of seizures should be achieved as early as possible, preferably at home. In...
Silvery gray hair syndromes: An insight into diagnosis
Context: Silvery gray hair syndromes consist of three conditions, Chediak–Higashi syndrome (CHS), Griscelli syndrome (GS), and Elejalde syndrome (ES), which are rare autosomal recessive diseases presenting in childhood....