The Role of Nutritional Status on Follow-up among HIV-infected Children at a Teaching Hospital Clinic in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition and HIV infection in children interact adversely and may have a combined effect on clinical outcomes, including response to antiretroviral treatment (ART). Evidence of the role of malnutrition at the point of registration at HIV clinics is limited. This study sought to determine the role of nutritional status and other clinical factors on loss to follow-up (LTFU) among children at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Pediatric HIV clinic in Kumasi, Ghana.

STUDY DESIGN: A total of 324 HIV-positive children aged 1.5 to 10 years old who were registered at the clinic from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2011 were included in this retrospective study. Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) was used to classify nutritional status. Characteristics of children who were LTFU and those who remained in care were compared using bivariate analysis and logistic regression.

RESULTS: At registration, 116 (35.8%) children were severely underweight (WAZ < -3) and 72 (22.2%) were underweight (WAZ < -2). A total of 163 (50.3%) children were LTFU during the course of one year. Malnourished children compared to normal weight children (WAZ > -2) were more likely to be LTFU (P = 0.003). Initiation of antiretroviral therapy was associated with a lower risk of LTFU. In the multivariate analysis, hospital admission (OR 4.38; 95% CI 2.30, 8.34) and initiation of ART (OR 0.33; CI 0.19, 0.56) were independently associated with LTFU.

CONCLUSION: Malnutrition was common among Ghanaian HIV-infected children and appeared to be associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and LTFU. Irrespective of nutritional status, the initiation of ART was associated with better retention in care.