A study on prevalence of anemia and growth pattern among HIV infected children and adolescents from rural areas attending VCTC and ART center Govt. General Hospital, Vijayawada, A.P., India

Globally, the HIV epidemic remains a serious challenge, and continues to take its toll particularly on vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents. However, background co-morbidities compound the problem in affected populations in India. Two such major co-morbidities include anemia and poor nutrition.

The present article deals with the profile of HIV infected children and adolescents in HAART era and Pre-HAART era who were attending the ART centre, Govt. General Hospital, Vijayawada.

Totally 125 subjects of age group 1-20 years were included in the study. Among 125 HIV+ subjects only 45 subjects were in HAARTera, 75 subjects in pre-HAART era and 5 subjects died during the study period. The study patients in HAART era showed a significant increase (p<0.001) in CD4 counts from 174 to 902 cells/cmm, significant decrease (p<0.001) in Hb content from 7.3 to 6.5 gm/dL and significant increase (p<0.05) in BMI level from 18.1 to 22.6 from baseline to follow up treatment after 18 months. The study patients in pre-HAART era showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in mean CD4 counts from 592 to 790 cells/cmm from initial count to count after 18 months. The subjects in pre-HAART era showed low level of Hb content 6.9 gm/dL in male and 6.3 gm/dL in female subjects; the mean BMI level was 20.43 in male and 18.47 in female subjects.

Our study reinforces the finding that anemia, growth failure and malnutrition are major manifestations of HIV infection in Indian children with prognostic significance.