Nutritional assessment for children who are HIV-infected

Pathophysiologic, psychosocial, and economic considerations are important in nutritional assessment of infants and children who are HIV-infected. Nutritional assessment guidelines vary based on the child's circumstances. Specific assessment guidelines are proposed for (a) ongoing ambulatory care; (b) when growth decelerates or its below the fifth percentile; (c) acute illness; and (d) home and community care. The guidelines are based on data collected from a sample of 16 children who were HIV-infected and their families during a pilot study of transitional nursing care using advanced practice nurses. The guidelines were inductively derived from patient care records and from a review of the literature.