Growth patterns and anaemia status of HIV-infected children living in an institutional facility in India

Prasanna K. Kapavarapu, Omar Bari, Mathew Perumpil, Christopher Duggan, Chitra Dinakar, Shubha Krishnamurthy, Karthika Arumugam, Anita Shet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective To understand the health status of HIV orphans in a well-structured institutional facility in India. Method Prospective longitudinal analysis of growth and anaemia prevalence among these children, between June 2008 and May 2011. Results A total of 85 HIV-infected orphan children residing at Sneha Care Home, Bangalore, for at least 1year, were included in the analysis. Prevalence of anaemia at entry into the home was 40%, with the cumulative incidence of anaemia during the study period being 85%. At baseline, 79% were underweight and 72% were stunted. All children, irrespective of their antiretroviral therapy (ART) status, showed an improvement in nutritional status over time as demonstrated by a significant increase in weight (median weight-for-age Z-score: -2.75 to -1.74, P<0.001) and height Z-scores (median height-for-age Z-score: -2.69 to -1.63, P<0.001). Conclusion These findings suggest that good nutrition even in the absence of ART can bring about improvement in growth. The Sneha Care Home model indicates that the holistic approach used in the Home may have been helpful in combating HIV and poor nutritional status in severely malnourished orphaned children.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)962-971
Number of pages10
JournalTropical Medicine and International Health
Volume17
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antiretroviral therapy
  • Growth
  • HIV
  • Institutional facility
  • Nutrition
  • Orphans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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