Height-weight indices in HIV-infected children

Background: Nutrition disorders of HIV-infected children manifested by changes of the dynamics of height - weight indices have various causes. Their role has been studied insufficiently. So the study of anthropometrical indices in HIV-infected children is timely and expedient. Purpose: to study height - weight indices in HIV-infected children depending on the stage of disease and suppression of immune response. Methods & Materials: 50 HIV-infected children (25 male and 25 female) were observed in the Centre against AIDS of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The children were at the age from 2 to 5 years. The weight and height were measured and analyzed according to centile diagrams. Results: It was revealed, that in severe immunodeficiency the amount of children with weight decreasing to 10-25 centiles and lower made totally 48%. The high indexes (50-75 centiles and 90 centiles and higher) were mostly registered in children with the moderate and insignificant suppression of the immune response. The similar changes of height of HIV- infected children was also observed. However in this case, 8% of children with severe immunodeficiency showed high height indexes (90 centiles and higher). The lowest indices (5 centiles and lower) were registered in 4th clinical stage of HIV-infection. It was proved that children at the 3rd and 4th stage of HIV-infection have more growth and physical retardation than children with less severe course of the disease. At the same time, the high weight and height indices (over 90 centiles) were also registered in children with 3rd and 4th clinical stage of HIV-infected (at 4th stage in 4%, at 3rd stage in 6%). Conclusion: Apparently, the deficiency of nutrients influences HIV-infection progressing, however, both the HIV-infection and disorder of the immune response can impair the nutrition status as a result of the insufficient concentration of nutrients in a diet, poor absorption, greater need for nutrients and metabolism disorder, in particular during the opportunistic and other infections.

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