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[Dehydration: an important factor of mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive malnourished
1ORSTOM, Cöte-d'Ivoire.
Insights
Diarrhoea and malnutrition in HIV-positive children significantly increase mortality. Dehydration is a key factor, highlighting the need for better management strategies for these vulnerable children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Context:
- Malnutrition and diarrhoea are common in HIV-seropositive children, indicating a poor prognosis.
- The impact of diarrhoea-induced dehydration in this population was previously unassessed.
Purpose:
- To assess the impact of dehydration from diarrhoea on mortality in malnourished children, particularly those with HIV.
Summary:
- A retrospective analysis of 121 malnourished children in Cöte d'lvoire revealed a significantly higher mortality rate (42.8%) in HIV-seropositive children compared to seronegative children (15.3%).
- Diarrhoea and oral candidosis were identified as discriminating factors in HIV-seropositive children.
- The study confirmed dehydration as a significant factor contributing to mortality in malnourished children.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the critical role of dehydration in the mortality of malnourished children, especially those with HIV.
- Highlights the need for further research into the factors contributing to diarrhoea and dehydration in this vulnerable group to improve clinical management and outcomes.
Abstract:
A combination of diarrhoea and malnutrition frequently occurs in HIV seropositive children and constitutes a bad prognosis factor. The impact of dehydration induced by diarrhoea in these children has not as yet been assessed and constitutes the aim of this study. This retrospective analysis was conducted on 121 malnourished children monitored in 1994 at an infant home in Cöte d'lvoire. 46.2% of the children were HIV seropositive and their mortality rate was significantly higher than that observed among seronegative children (42.8% vs. 15.3%; p < 0.01). Among the various pathologies observed in these children, diarrhoea and oral candidosis were discriminating factors in seropositive children. Besides, the findings confirmed the effect of dehydration on the mortality of malnourished children as a whole. Studies allowing a better understanding of factors involved in diarrhoea or dehydration among HIV seropositive malnourished children appears to be essential to improve the management of these children.