Micronutrient levels in HIV-1-infected children.
OBJECTIVE
Micronutrients (zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin A, E, and carotenoids) are essential for the integrity of host defences. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of abnormalities of the micronutrient levels in HIV-1-seropositive children.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
The study was performed on HIV-1-infected children at the Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Unit of Toulouse Hospital, France.


METHODS
Twenty-one children, suffering from HIV-1 infection and 21 control subjects of similar age (2-9 years) were included in the study. In the HIV-1-infected children, two subgroups were considered according to stage (non-AIDS or AIDS), based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1987 criteria.


RESULTS
The first statistically significant deficiencies occurred at non-AIDS stage and were confirmed at AIDS stage: P < 0.05 for lycopene, retinol, tocopherol and P < 0.001 for transthyretin and serum albumin. Levels of copper (40%) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (21%) were higher in the non-AIDS group than the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Biological impairing of the micronutrient levels was observed in the non-AIDS stage without clinical sign. This information is useful in delineating eventual and well considered nutritional intervention strategies that may improve the clinical status of HIV-1-infected children and perhaps alter the course of their disease.
Periquet
B A
BA
Purpan Hospital, Toulouse, France.
Jammes
N M
NM
Lambert
W E
WE
Tricoire
J
J
Moussa
M M
MM
Garcia
J
J
Ghisolfi
J
J
Thouvenot
J
J
D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000378:metabolism*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000172:deficiency; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D018977:Micronutrients; D011228:Prealbumin; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D003300:Copper; D000077276:Lycopene