Positive Health Online

Abstract

CAMPA and colleagues, Center for Disease Prevention, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136 USA studied the contribution of specific nutritional factors upon disease progression and survival in HIV-infected children .

Background

Methodology

24 HIV-infected children, who had been perinatally exposed to the virus and were symptomatic were recruited to this study and observed for 5 years. Immune status was measured using CD4 cells counts. Nutritional status was determined using serum albumin and plasma trace elements including iron, zinc and selenium.

Results

During the course of this study, 12 children died of HIV-related causes. The final Cox multivariate analysis indicated that, of the variables evaluated, only CD4 cell count below 200 and low levels of plasma selenium were significantly and independently related to mortality. Among the children who died, those with low selenium levels died at a younger age, suggesting more rapid disease progression.

Conclusion

Low plasma level of selenium is an independent predictor of mortality in paediatric HIV-infection and appears to be associated with more rapid disease progression .

References

Campa A et al. Mortality risk in selenium-deficient HIV-positive children. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology. 20(5): 508-13. 15 Apr 1999.