Baseline Fatty Acids and Time-Averaged Executive Function in Ugandan Children With Perinatal HIV

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Nutritional Science
• Pediatric HIV Research

Background:

• Fatty acids (FAs) are crucial for neurodevelopment.
• Associations between FAs and executive function in children with perinatal HIV are not well understood.
• Executive function is vital for cognitive and behavioral development in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between serum FAs and executive function in children.
• To investigate if perinatal HIV status modifies these associations.
• To inform potential nutritional interventions for children affected by perinatal HIV.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 6-10-year-old Ugandan children (CPHIV, CHEU, CHUU).
• Serum FAs measured at enrollment; executive function assessed over 12 months using EFI and GEC.
• Multivariable linear mixed models used to analyze associations and effect modification by HIV status.

Main Results:

• Higher levels of arachidonic acid and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) were associated with lower executive dysfunction overall.
• Among children with perinatal HIV infection (CPHIV), high Mead acid was linked to higher executive dysfunction.
• Among children exposed but uninfected (CHEU), high docosatetraenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were associated with lower executive function.

Conclusions:

• Higher HUFA intake is associated with better executive function, particularly in children exposed but uninfected (CHEU).
• Specific FAs show differential associations with executive function based on HIV exposure status.
• Findings support further research into nutritional interventions to enhance executive function in children affected by perinatal HIV.