Abstract
AbstractPurposeThis study aims to determine the prevalence of malaria and HIV seropositivity among children with undernutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.MethodsA cross-sectional study of undernourished children aged between 12 and 60 months in Kalembe-Lembe hospital was carried out. Blood samples were collected for the analyses of malaria parasite, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. HIV serostatus was determined with rapid HIV antibody tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify clinical predictors of HIV seropositivity.ResultsOf 225 children, 88.9% had malaria; the parasite loads were 16 000 para per μL (38.0%); 24 400 para per μL (56.8%), P < 0.001 and malaria and associated HIV infection accounted for 29.2%. In children aged >12 months, HIV seroprevalence was 29.3%; 86.0% had undernutrition and malaria, 6.8% had undernutrition and HIV and 4.3% had undernutrition, HIV and malaria (P < 0.001). The occurrence of at least three or more symptoms was highly specific (96.4–100.0%) for HIV seropositivity (P < 0.05). The overall mortality rate was 18.4%, higher in children with malaria and HIV (39.6% vs 12.2%, P < 0.001) and those with lower weight gain (4.3 vs 7.5 g kg−1 day−1, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThere was high prevalence of malaria and HIV and mortality among severely undernourished children with malaria and HIV.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Animal Science and Zoology,Parasitology
Reference26 articles.
1. WHO, UNICEF (2009) WHO child growth standards and the identification of severe acute undernutrition in infants and children. A Joint statement by WHO and UNICEF.
2. HIV infection and severe malnutrition
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