Age and HIV stage at initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy determine non-reversal of stunting at 3 years of treatment

Abstract

Background Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been reported to improve growth, especially in the first 2 years of treatment. It is not clear whether catch up growth is maintained after 2 years of HAART. Objective To assess growth in stunted children with HIV after 3 years of HAART and analyze possible risk factors for non-reversal of stunting. Methods This study was done from May 2016 to April 2017 to follow children with HIV who started HAART between January 2009 and April 2014, and continued for 3 years. Inclusion criteria were children with HIV, aged 2 years (RR 16.05; 95%CI 2.89 to 89.02; P=0.002) and HIV stage III-IV (RR 8.93; 95%CI 1.47 to 54.37; P=0.017). Conclusion HAART initiation at age >2 years and HIV clinical stage III-IV at diagnosis are risk factors for non-reversal of stunting after 3 years of HAART.

Keywords

• HIV
• stunted
• HAART
• three years observation
• non reversal