Assessment of Nutritional Status in Institutionalized Pediatric Patients with HIV/AIDS

Progressive and profound immunosuppression caused by HIV/AIDS makes the body more vulnerable to opportunistic infections as well as the associated clinical events and complications that often have a huge effect on the nutritional status of the individual. Our objective was to determine the nutritional status of pediatric patients with HIV/AIDS. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study that included 60 patients aged 1-13 of both sexes who received care from the Fundacion Innocens in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Nutritional assessment was done by anthropometric measurement while hematology, blood biochemistry, and dietary assessment data were also recorded. Results: Anthropometric nutritional analysis by BMI diagnosed 60% of children as normal, with higher prevalence in males. Plasma levels of triglycerides (134.43 +/- 66.04 mg/dl) were higher than values desirable Q for the relevant age groups while HDL-C levels (34.12 +/- 12.22 mg/dl) were lower. Hemoglobin levels Q were also low in all age groups (11.25 +/- 1.26 g/dL). The dietary study showed a low dietary adequacy of calories and nutrients for all age groups. Conclusion: A significant number of pediatric AIDS patients cared for by the Fundacion Innocens show impaired nutritional status that warrants the implementation of a comprehensive nutritional care program to help improve the quality of life of these patients.