The Bi-directional Relationship Between Childhood Malnutrition and HIV/AIDS

Abstract

: Childhood malnutrition, a disorder broadly classified into overnutrition and undernutrition, is highly prevalent globally, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. Several studies have highlighted the bidirectional relationship between this disorder and HIV/AIDS, another disease with a high global prevalence. This relationship is quite complex. Links have been established between the disease entities on the individual, family and household level. Opportunistic infections and diseases associated with HIV, antiretroviral therapy and its adverse effects have also been implicated in this relationship. The key implicated variables includes frequency of disease occurrence, morbidity and mortality rate, and disease transmission rate. This paper reviews existing literatures on the subject matter, identifies key knowledge gaps, and recommends the need for further study of this complex relationship in order to close the gaps and inform decisions in healthcare.

Effects of undernutrition on mortality of HIV-infected children after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The review disclosed that stunted children living with HIV were 3.36 times more likely to die as compared to well-nourished children. This is reasoned by bidirectional relationship nature of chronic undernutrition and HIV- infection [ 44 ]. The coexistence of HIV-infection and stunting further compromises the immune system [ 45 , 46 ].…”