Undernutrition and anaemia among HAART-naïve HIV infected children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: a case-controlled, hospital based study

Abstract

Introduction: Case control studies that assess the burden and factors associated with undernutrition  and anaemia among HAART naïve HIV infected children in Nigeria is very sparse. This will help to  formulate nutritional programs among these children.

Methods: Seventy HAART naive HIV infected children aged 18 months and above were as well as  seventy age and sex matched HIV negative children were recruited from August 2007 to January 2009 at Paediatric Clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Their bio data, WHO clinical stage, anthropometric measurements, haematocrit, serum albumin and CD4 counts were taken with other parameters according to a study proforma.

Results: The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting among the HIV infected subjects were 48. 6%,58. 6% and 31. 4% respectively which as significantly higher than 28. 1%, 7. 1% and 28. 1% among the HIV negative controls. 20. 1% of the HIV infected children were marasmic compared to 2. 3% of the controls . Triple anthropometric failure was found in 7. 1% of the subjects as compared to none among the controls. Anaemia is significantly more prevalent among the subjects than the controls (70. 0% vs 31. 4%; p.

Conclusion: Several years after availability of HAART, undernutrition and anaemia remain widely prevalent among newly presenting HAART naïve HIV infected Nigerian children . Nutritional  supplementation and evaluation for anaemia still need close attention in the management of these  children.

Key words: Undernutrition, anaemia, HAART-naïve, HIV, Nigeria