Whole Gastrointestinal Transit Time is Associated with Clinical Severity and Nutritional Status of HIV-Infected Children
Narumon Densupsoontorn MD*, Patchaya Issaragraiseel MD*, Nuchnoi Thamonsiri BSc*, Renu Wongarn BA*, Pipop Jirapinyo MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Malnutrition and malabsorption are common consequences in pediatric human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) infection. The gastrointestinal tract is a major site affected by HIV. Rapid gastrointestinal transit
time may contribute to malabsorption.
Objective : To determine whether the whole gastrointestinal transit time (WGTT) correlates with disease
stages or degrees of malnutrition in HIV-infected children.
Material and Method: Forty HIV-seropositive children, at various stages of disease, and thirty seronegative
age-matched controls, aged between 1 mo and 3 yr, were enrolled in the present study. The body weight,
length, or height and the WGTT were assessed. Then the WGTT of children in different stages of HIV disease and
in different degrees of malnutrition were compared with those of the control group.
Results : The mean ages were 15.5 and 14.3 mo in HIV-infected and control groups respectively. A greater
degree of malnutrition was found in HIV-infected children with more advances HIV clinical symptoms.
Compared to controls, WGTT was most rapid in severely symptomatic acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS) patients (Category C) (14.32 + 3.88 versus 7.22 + 3.17 h; p < 0.01) but not in asymptomatic, mildly
and moderately symptomatic children. Accelerated WGTT in HIV-infected children was also significantly
associated with a higher degree of malnutrition.
Conclusion : Malnutrition is clearly related to the progression of HIV disease. Accelerated WGTT is associated
with HIV seropositivity, severe clinical symptoms, and higher degrees of malnutrition.
Keywords : Gastrointestinal transit time, HIV Infections, Malnutrition, Nutritional status
