Nutritional Status and Serum Zinc Levels in HIV Infected Individuals Compared to Control Subjects Undergoing Anti Retro Viral Therapy (ART)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals are prone to malnutrition due to increased energy requirements, enteropathy and catabolism. Trace element such as zinc have major role in maintaining a healthy immune system. HIV-infected subjects receiving ART and pre-ART subjects were taken and Nutritional assessment was done after an interview and physical examination based on clinical and anthropometric parameters. Body mass index (normal range 18.5–27 kg/m2 based on age) of less than 16, 16–16.9 and 17–18.4 kg/m were considered as severe, moderate and mild malnutrition respectively. Fully automated analyzer measured serum level of zinc. Mild, moderate and severe malnutrition were detected in 14.28%, 7.14%, 7.14% of the HIV-infected subjects receiving ART and 64.28 % of mild malnutrition were found in pre-ART subjects. The study concluded that malnutrition and serum zinc deficiency are common in HIV-infected patients and early evaluation of nutritional status of these subjects and providing appropriate nutritional support and mineral supplementation along with the specific anti-retroviral treatment are recommended.