The growth of infants born to HIV-infected mothers

We have collected standardized anthropometric data on 119 term infants (37-42 wk gestational age) born to HIV-infected mothers and prospectively followed-up in our Center throughout 10 years (1986-1995) with the aims: a. to compare early-vs. later-symptomatic HIV-infected and uninfected infants, b. to compare later-symptomatic HIV-infants vs. their uninfected counterparts and c. to identify early growth indicators of HIV infection. Early-symptomatic HIV- infected infants show the lowest median weight-for-age (WA) and length-for-age (LA) z-scores at all the time-points and the LA difference with their later-symptomatic counterparts is already significant at birth. After adjusting for confounders, uninfected infants born to HIV-infected women show no differences at birth in comparison with a reference population, but a progressive minor gain in LA through the second year. In a separate analysis, the HIV infection in children has been found associated with decreased levels of linoleic acid, entering growth-related processes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of postnatal growth retardation in infants and children born to HIV-infected children.