Nutrition for children over two years old who are HIV positive:Children who are HIV positive will often not grow and develop properly, and are at greater risk
of death. They are more susceptible to common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea, acute
respiratory infections (ARIs), malaria, neurological problems and general growth retardation.
They are also at increased risk of malnutrition due to poor appetite, swallowing difficulties and
nausea. As such, HIV infected children should be given special attention to ensure they receive
adequate amounts of both macro- and micro-nutrients. They also need adequate care.Children infected with HIV need nutritious diets to boost their immune systems so they can deal
adequately with infections. Foodstuffs enriched with Vitamin A, in particular, can help to boost a
child’s immune system. Also, food for children with HIV must be prepared with extra hygienic
care, as their bodies are vulnerable to infections from germs found in food that is not cooked
adequately or prepared safely (for example, all dishes and cooking utensils must be clean).Children infected with HIV need:
Foods high in energy, proteins and micro-nutrients.
To be fed more often, with smaller, frequent meals and snacks. This will aid the
absorbtion of nutrients better.
To be fed with a variety of fruit and vegetables, to ensure adequate nutritional intake.
To be fed with foods that are fortified with added micro-nutrients, if possible.
Adequate clean water to drink (preferably boiled water that has been left to cool).Caregivers will also need to be aware of factors that result in the decreased food intake in
these children. A child with HIV may experience difficulty in eating due to sores or ulcers in
the mouth that make it hard to swallow food. Infections such as fevers and coughs cause
increased energy needs in children. Diarrhoea can result in dehydration (water loss) and loss of
nutrients, so increased energy requirements are needed. Children with HIV also have a poor
absorbtion of nutrients, so if a child’s diet is not adequate in meeting the increased nutritional
needs, the child may be at risk of malnutrition. (Malnutrition is dealt with later in this topic.)Some tips to aid the nutritional intake of children with HIV:
Porridge can be enriched with milk, soya flour, groundnuts or simsim
Add a small amount of uncooked vegetable oil to foods – this will aid digestion
Vegetables and fruits such as bananas, pawpaws, pumpkins and avocados can be eaten
mashed to make them easier to swallow
Avoid fried and spicy foods – they are hard to digest, cause irritation in the stomach
and can cause further diarrhoea
Avoid sugary foods (sweets and cooldrinks) – they encourage fungal infections
Yoghurt or maas helps to stop fungal infections in the stomach and aids digestion
Dried pumpkin seeds and garlic are good for stopping stomach parasites
The older the child, the more food they need to eat.Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Unit 2, Module 3^229