PD903 - ANTHROPOMETRIC STATUS AND FEEDING PRACTICES OF HIV EXPOSED AND UNEXPOSED PRETERM INFANTS ADMITTED TO A REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BOTSWANA

PD903

ANTHROPOMETRIC STATUS AND FEEDING PRACTICES OF HIV EXPOSED AND UNEXPOSED PRETERM INFANTS ADMITTED TO A REGIONAL HOSPITAL IN BOTSWANA

R. C. Dolman-Macleod^1,*, T. K. Makete¹, L. Havemann-Nel¹

¹Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Rationale: HIV exposed (HIV-E) preterm infants experience poorer growth, health and survival outcomes than HIV unexposed (HIV-U) infants. This study aimed to determine the anthropometric status and feeding practices of HIV-E and HIV-U preterm infants admitted to Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component was conducted among preterm infants meeting the inclusion criteria. Anthropometry, nutritional intake and feeding intolerances were monitored for 28 days. 

Results: A total of 129 preterm infants were enrolled, 30 (23.3%) HIV-E and 99 (76.7%) HIV-U. Median birth weight was 1505g (1238–1833g), with no significant difference between the groups. HIV-E preterm infants had lower initial weight loss during the first week of life (p=0.035), and a higher proportion regained birth weight by day 10 compared to the HIV-U group (56% vs 30.9%, p=0.023). No significant differences were found in growth velocity or changes in WAZ, LAZ and HAZ scores. Feeding was initiated within 24–48 hours in both groups. Formula feeding was higher among HIV-E, whilst HIV-U had higher rates of breastfeeding. Although energy intake was similar, protein intake and protein energy ratio (PER) were higher in the HIV-E group. Protein intake, rather than HIV exposure, predicted weight on days 7 and 21. When adjusted for protein intake, HIV-E infants weighed less. 

Conclusion: No significant differences were observed in the anthropometric status of HIV-E and HIV-U preterm infants. HIV exposed preterm infants maintained their birth weight better, which was associated with a higher protein intake and PER in the HIV-E group during the first week. Findings from this study contribute to improving the nutritional management of preterm infants to ensure that all have an equitable chance to survive and thrive

Disclosure of Interest: None declared