title: Both human immunodeficiency virus-infected and human immunodeficiency virus-exposed, uninfected children living in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico have similar rates of low concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, and vitamin E.
abstract: Our objective was to describe the prevalence of low concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, and vitamin E in a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected Latin American children and a comparison group of HIV-exposed, uninfected children. Our hypothesis was that the rates of low concentrations of these micronutrients would be higher in the HIV-infected group than those in the HIV-exposed, uninfected group. This was a cross-sectional substudy of a larger cohort study at clinical pediatric HIV centers in Latin America. Serum levels of micronutrients were measured in the first stored sample obtained after each child's first birthday by high-performance liquid chromatography. Low concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, and vitamin E were defined as serum levels below 0.70, 0.35, and 18.0 micromol/L, respectively. The population for this analysis was 336 children (124 HIV-infected, 212 HIV-exposed, uninfected) aged 1 year or older to younger than 4 years. Rates of low concentrations were 74% for retinol, 27% for beta-carotene, and 89% for vitamin E. These rates were not affected by HIV status. Among the HIV-infected children, those treated with antiretrovirals were less likely to have retinol deficiency, but no other HIV-related factors correlated with micronutrient low serum levels. Low concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, and vitamin E are very common in children exposed to HIV living in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, regardless of HIV-infection status.
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jacqueline P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Freimanis-Hance
authors.forename: Lidiane B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Marisa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mussi-Pinhata
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Korelitz
authors.forename: Hélio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vannucchi
authors.forename: Wladimir
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.forename: Regina C M
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Succi
authors.forename: Rohan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hazra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001118:Argentina; D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008800:Mexico; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000097:blood*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D018977:Micronutrients; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E