title: Serum beta-carotene deficiency in HIV-infected children.
abstract: Representative levels of serum micronutrients specifically, beta-carotene and vitamins A and E, were studied in symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. The nutritional status of 23 symptomatic African-American and Hispanic HIV-infected children were compared with an appropriate control group comprised of 36 uninfected children matched for age and sex, using body mass index. Serum beta-carotene and vitamin A and E levels were randomly determined on 15 of the infected children. Beta-carotene concentration was 4.9-fold reduced in symptomatic HIV-infected children when compared with the control group. There was a 6.5-fold decrease in the serum level for children without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a 13-fold reduction in children with AIDS. No differences in the mean values for serum vitamins A and E were observed in the groups studied. Although the nutritional status of the symptomatic HIV-infected children was not different from that of the control population, their serum beta-carotene levels were profoundly deficient. This finding may have immunologic and clinical implications for children with rapidly progressing HIV disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ambulatory Care, Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, Brooklyn, New York 11206, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Omene
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Easington
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Glew
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prosper
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ledlie
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001741:Black or African American; D044383:Black People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000032:analysis; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D044465:White People; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E