Nutrition in HIV-Infected Infants and Children: Current Knowledge, Existing Challenges, and New Dietary Management Opportunities

Abstract

HIV infection and undernutrition remain significant public health concerns for infants and children. In infants and children under these conditions, undernutrition is one of the leading causes of death. Proper management of nutrition and related nutrition complications in these groups with increased nutrition needs are prominent challenges, particularly in HIV-prevalent poor-resource environments. Several studies support the complexity of the relation between HIV infection, nutrition, and the immune system. These elements interact and create a vicious circle of poor health outcomes. Recent studies on the use of probiotics as a novel approach to manage microbiome imbalance and gut-mucosal impairment in HIV infection are gaining attention. This new strategy could help to manage dysbiosis and gut-mucosal impairment by reducing immune activation, thereby potentially forestalling unwanted health outcomes in children with HIV. However, existing trials on HIV-infected children are still insufficient. There are also conflicting reports on the dosage and effectiveness of single or multiple micronutrient supplementation in the survival of HIV-infected children with severe acute malnutrition. The WHO has published guidelines that include time of initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-pregnant mothers and their HIV-exposed or HIV-infected children, micronutrient supplementation, dietary formulations, prevention, and management of HIV therapy. However, such guidelines need to be reviewed owing to recent advances in the field of nutrition. There is a need for new intervention studies, practical strategies, and evidence-based guidelines to reduce the disease burden, improve adherence to treatment regimen, and enhance the nutrition, health, and well-being of HIV-infected infants and children. This review provides up-to-date scientific information on current knowledge and existing challenges for nutrition therapy in HIV-infected infants and children. Moreover, it presents new research findings that could be incorporated into current guidelines.

ART and Serum albumin are influencing factors of the 5-year survival rate of people living with HIV undergoing maintenance hemodialysis caused by HIV: A cohort study

“…Improving the nutritional status can not only improve the clinical treatment effect but can also effectively enhance their immunity, which plays an important role in alleviating clinical symptoms. [33][34][35] We believe that for those people living with HIV undergoing MHD, it is necessary to monitor their nutritional status, especially the ALB level after dialysis, to carry out targeted nutritional support treatment in a timely manner for malnourished people, thereby effectively ensuring the effect of AIDS treatment, prolonging the survival time of these individuals and improving their quality of life.…”

Gut microbiota and chronic diseases: Role of probiotics

“…In recent studies, probiotics are being used as a novel strategy to treat microbiome imbalance and gut mucosal damage in HIV infection. By lowering immune activation, this innovative approach may be able to manage dysbiosis and gut-mucosal dysfunction in children with HIV, potentially preventing negative health effects (Fabusoro and Mejia, 2021). The antiinflammatory process in HIV inflammation is shown in fig 3.…”

Providing Education for Mothers with Stunting Toddlers through Healthy Toddler Class

“…Stunting merupakan masalah kurang gizi kronis pada balita yang disebabkan karena asupan gizi yang kurang dalam waktu yang cukup lama sebagai akibat dari pemberian makanan yang tidak sesuai kebutuhan gizi yang diperlukan. Stunting terjadi mulai janin masih dalam kandungan dan baru nampak saat anak berusia dua tahun [2].…”