Prevalence and associated factors for malnutrition among human immunodeficiency virus-exposed uninfected children from 2013 to 2019 in Hunan Province / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the prevalence of malnutrition among human immunodeficiency virus-exposed uninfected (HEU) children and to identify the associated factors in Hunan Province.Methods:All children born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected mothers retrieved from Information System of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus Management (IPMTCT) in Hunan Province between July 2013 and June 2019 were included. Information including maternal demographic characteristic, maternal comorbidities/complications, anti-retroviral therapy during pregnancy, anti-retroviral prophylaxis for children, birth weight, and disease during follow-up was collected. The length and weight of children at one, three, six, nine, 12 and 18 months of follow-up time points were detected, and the prevalences of stunting, underweight, wasting and malnutrition among HEU children were evaluated. The generalized estimating equation was used to fit the logistic regression model to analyze the associated factors for malnutrition.Results:A total of 656 HEU children were finally included. The prevalences of stunting, underweight, wasting, and malnutrition among HEU children were highest at one month of age, which were 11.9%(78/656), 9.1%(60/656), 7.0%(45/656) and 21.0%(138/656), respectively. Maternal comorbidities/complications (adjusted odds ratio (a OR)=2.30, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.48 to 3.58), mono/dual anti-retroviral therapy during pregnancy (a OR=2.38, 95% CI 1.54 to 3.68), birth weight <2 500 g (a OR=2.66, 95% CI 1.69 to 4.21) and disease during follow-up (a OR=1.73, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.70) were the risk factors for malnutrition among HEU children (all P<0.050). Both taking zidovudine (a OR=0.60, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.94) and nevirapine (a OR=0.31, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.52) for anti-retroviral prophylaxis were the protective factors for malnutrition among HEU children (both P<0.050). Conclusions:The prevalence of malnutrition among HEU children is high. The prevalence of malnutrition is affected by maternal comorbidities/complications, anti-retroviral therapy during pregnancy, and birth weight, diseases during follow-up and anti-retroviral prophylaxis for children.