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[AIDS and malnutrition in a pediatric semi-rural milieu of Ivory Coast]
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection significantly contributes to and complicates malnutrition management in African children. This study highlights HIV
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Context:
- Assesses HIV's role in childhood malnutrition in Cote d'Ivoire.
- Examines 183 undernourished children at Dabou Protestant Hospital.
- Identifies malnutrition prevalence and types in pediatric admissions.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on malnutrition in African children.
- To determine if HIV status influences malnutrition type or treatment outcomes.
- To understand HIV's dual role as a cause and management impediment for malnutrition.
Summary:
- 25.1% of undernourished children were HIV-positive.
- Malnutrition types did not differ significantly between HIV-positive and negative children.
- Breastfeeding was more prevalent in HIV-positive children (59% vs 39%).
- Nutrition center follow-up was less effective for HIV-positive children.
Impact:
- HIV infection is a significant cause of malnutrition in African children.
- HIV complicates and hinders effective malnutrition management.
- Findings underscore the need for integrated HIV and nutrition care in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract:
To assess the role of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in malnutrition in African children, clinical examination and serologic tests were performed in 183 undernourished children at the Protestant Hospital of Dabou which is located in a semi-urban area of Cote d'Ivoire. Malnutrition was noted in 18% of children admitted to the Pediatric Department including 70.5% with marasmus. Serologic tests were positive for HIV in 46 of the 183 children, i.e. 25.1%. The type of malnutrition was not significantly different in seropositive children. Breast feeding was more common in the seropositive than seronegative group (59% vs 39%) (p<0.05). Follow-up at the nutrition center was poorer quality and less effective in seropositive than seronegative children. The results of this study demonstrate the important role of HIV infection first as a cause and second as an impediment for management of malnutrition in Black Africa.