Nutrition in paediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection

The nutritional condition of children with human immunodeficiency virus (HI V) infection continues to be a problem both in developed and developing cou ntries. HN-infected children grow below normal standards in both height and weight when compared with HIV-exposed noninfected children. These patterns persist over time. It is possible that acute infectious episodes and incre ased HIV viral burden contribute to decrements in all growth variables. Pot ential aetiologies for abnormal growth include inadequate dietary intake, g astrointestinal malabsorption, increased energy utilization and psyche-soci al problems. It is likely that all these factors contribute to the growth p roblems of these children to some extent. With the development of protease inhibitor anti-retroviral therapy and highly-active anti-retroviral treatme nt regimens, children with HIV infection iii developed countries are living longer with a chronic illness. New nutritional problems have arisen with t he development of the fat redistribution syndrome or lipodystrophy. Emergin g problems are now being recognized, with the development of insulin resist ance and truncal obesity which may potentially lead to premature cardiovasc ular disease.