J Pediatr Infect Dis 2007; 02(01): 035-038
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557012
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

HIV seroprevalence in severely malnourished children in Aligarh (North India)

S. Manazir Ali
a   Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, India
,
S. Javed Hasan Zaidi
a   Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, India
,
Tabassum Shahab
a   Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, India
,
Abida Malik
b   Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, India
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

23 May 2006

03 October 2006

Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity in severely malnourished children. Three hundred severely malnourished children (defined as of weight for height <70% according to WHO classification) were subjected to enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for detection of HIV antibodies. All the severely malnourished children who were screened for HIV antibodies were found to be negative. The seropositivity in severely malnourished children was found to be zero. Hence, severe malnutrition cannot be an indication for routine testing for HIV in this part of country. However, children with multiple risk factors may be screened for HIV infection in a resource poor country like India.