Antioxidants in HIV positive children.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the antioxidant status in HIV positive children. METHODS: HIV positive children under the age group of 3-12 years from lower socio-economic strata were chosen for the study (Group 1). The values were compared with normal children (Group 2) not suffering from any disease in the same age group and similar socio-economic strata. The antioxidants chosen for the present study were vitamin A (Retinol), vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (alpha tocopherol). RESULTS: Results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using student 't' test (in the present study 'z' test was applied). The antioxidants vitamin A, C and E decreased in HIV positive children as compared to controls. Vitamin A was significant to the level of p< 0.01 and vitamin C and E to the level of p< 0.001 and p< 0.02 respectively. CONCLUSION: The decrease in antioxidants A, C and E in HIV positive children is due to increased utilization of antioxidant micronutrients because of increased oxidative stress caused due to free radicals.