Nutritional and haematological status of human immunodeficiency virus infected children

2016-10-18T03-40-29Z
Source: International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
Chandra M. Pandey, Anubha Shrivastava.
Background: Under nutrition and anaemia are among the commonest presenting signs in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children. Cause could be multi factorial. HIV infection itself may produce this situation. Opportunistic infections, nutritional deficiencies and bone marrow suppression due to various factors could be the other reasons. To study the nutritional and haematological status in HIV infected children this study was undertaken. Methods: 140 children of both sexes, between the age 18 months to 15 years, who were diagnosed HIV positive as per guide lines of national AIDS control organization of India, were included in this study. Their anthropometric, general and systemic examinations were done. Haematological investigations including complete blood count (CBC), general blood picture (GBP), CD4 count was done in all cases. They were classified in clinical and immunological staging according to WHO classification criteria. Bone marrow aspiration was performed in 43 children. They were investigated for suspected opportunistic infections as well. Results: Out of 140 chidren, 91 were male and 49 were female. 47 children were orphan and 111 children were in low socioeconomic status. 101 children were significantly under nourished. No child was nutritionally normal. Clinical signs of vitamin A and D deficiency was seen in 21 and seven children respectively. 85% children were anaemic and most common morphology was normocytic normochromic blood picture. Lymphopenia was seen in 43.57%, granulocytopenia in 48.57% and thrombocytopenia in 30.71% children. There was no significant finding in bone marrow examination. Conclusions: This study concludes that in children, commonest route of infection was vertical transmission. Mean age of presentation was 7.67 years. Varying degree of mal nutrition and anaemia was noted in more than 85% HIV infected children. No child was nutritionally normal.


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