Nutritional, immune, micronutrient and health status of HIV-infected children in care centres in Mangaung

  • Liana Steenkamp
  • Andre Dannhauser University of the Free State
  • David Walsh University of the Free State
  • Gina Joubert University of the Free State
  • Frederick J Veldman Central University of Technology
  • Erika van der Walt University of the Free State
  • Cindy Cox University of the Free State
  • Michael K Hendricks School of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town
  • Hanneke Dippenaar University of the Free State
Keywords: HIV, Nutrition, Immune, Health, AIDS orphans

Abstract

Aim: To assess the nutritional, immune, micronutrient and health status of antiretroviral naïve HIV-infected children in selected care centres in Mangaung, in the Free State. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken between September 2004 and March 2005 on antiretroviral naïve HIV-infected children in care centres in Mangaung. Results: The study included 37 clinically stable and food secure HIV-infected children. Their median age was 5.35 years (ranging from 1.16 years to 10.17 years). Fifteen children (46%) were underweight, 30 children (77%) were stunted and one child was wasted. The median viral load (n=35) of the group was 117 000 copies/ml, the median CD4+ cell count was 477 cells/mm3 and the median CD4 percentage was 22.5%. Deficient serum levels relative to normal reference values were recorded for glutathione in 91%, albumin in 78%, vitamin A in 63%, vitamin D in 44%, zinc in 38% and vitamin E in 13% of the children. Sixty percent of the children were anaemic and 30% were iron deficient. The most commonly occurring clinical features were lymphadenopathy in 84%, skin rashes in 51%, hepatomegaly in 32%, pallor in 41%, clubbing in 24%, ear infections in 24%, oedema in 22% and mucosal lesions in 16%. Only 8% presented with TB, while 19% had features of lower respiratory infection. Conclusion: A high prevalence of chronic malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies occurred among HIV-infected children residing in food secure care centres. The study highlights the importance of antiretroviral therapy and nutrition intervention in improving the management and prognosis of these children.

Author Biographies

Liana Steenkamp
PhD Dietetics Nutrition Consultant Private Practice
Andre Dannhauser, University of the Free State
PhD Dietetics Professor & Head Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition
David Walsh, University of the Free State
MBChB, M Fam Med General Practitioner
Gina Joubert, University of the Free State
BA, MSc Associate Professor & Head Department of Biostatistics
Frederick J Veldman, Central University of Technology
BSc, BSc Hons, MSc, PhD, MS Epi, MPBL Associate Professor School of Health Technology
Erika van der Walt, University of the Free State
BSc (Hons) Department of Dietetics
Cindy Cox, University of the Free State
BSc Dietetics, MSc Dietetics Dietitian Department of Dietetics
Michael K Hendricks, School of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town
MBChB, MMed, MTropPaed, DCH Associate Professor School of Child and Adolescent Health
Hanneke Dippenaar, University of the Free State
MBChB, M FamMed Senior Lecturer Department of Family Practice
Published
2009-07-26
How to Cite
Steenkamp, L., Dannhauser, A., Walsh, D., Joubert, G., Veldman, F., van der Walt, E., Cox, C., Hendricks, M., & Dippenaar, H. (2009). Nutritional, immune, micronutrient and health status of HIV-infected children in care centres in Mangaung. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 22(3), 131. Retrieved from http://sajcn.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/245
Section
Original Research