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Published on: September 6, 2019
Prevalence and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency among Tanzanian HIV-exposed uninfected infants
Anath Rwebembera1, Christopher R Sudfeld, Karim P Manji
1National AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.
Insights
Many HIV-exposed infants in Tanzania have low vitamin D levels, impacting child health. Further research on vitamin D supplementation is needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Immunology
Background:
- Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and immune function.
- Low vitamin D levels are a global concern, particularly in vulnerable populations.
- Understanding vitamin D status in HIV-exposed infants is important for their development.
Abstract:
Vitamin D is essential for bone development and may also play an integral role in control of intracellular pathogens. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were assessed at 6 months of age for 191 HIV-exposed uninfected infants enrolled in a trial of multivitamins (not including vitamin D) in Tanzania. A total of 66 infants (34.6%) were classified as vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/ml), 93 (48.7%) as vitamin D insufficient (20-30 ng/ml) and 32 (16.8%) as vitamin D sufficient (≥30 ng/ml). Independent risk factors for vitamin D deficiency were sampling during the rainy season and infant wasting. Infant breastfeeding, maternal CD4 T-cell count, maternal wasting status and maternal receipt of antiretroviral therapy were not associated with vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D were highly prevalent among HIV-exposed uninfected infants in Tanzania, and longitudinal studies and clinical trials of supplementation are needed to assess the impact on child health.
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