Funck-Brentano I, Dabbas M, Teglas JP, Mahi L, Mayaux MJ, Goulet O, Blanchie S; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 252 (abstract no. 14347).
Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades UIH, Paris, France.
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether home nutritional support has improved over time the quality of life of a group of HIV-infected school-age children. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: A total of 25 children (5.7 to 16 years) followed in a referred care center were evaluated: enteral support n = 20, parenteral n = 5. Evaluations were performed between January 1994 and January 1998 at regular times on a 3 years follow up: 1) just before onset of treatment; 2) after 1 month; 3) 3 months; 4) and every 6 months. Qualitative interviews with open-ended questions were used, one with the children and one with the parents/caregivers. Answers were coded on a 5 point Likert scale to analyze the evolution of the answers. Standardized measures were used to assess in the children their level of anxiety and depression, type and severity of physical symptoms, type and degree of functional limitations, children's attitude and feelings toward nutritional support. The child evaluation also included a drawing of the self to provide additional insights about the body image and self esteem. RESULTS: A total of 187 evaluations were analyzed, 88% of the children (22/25) formulated positive expectations toward nutritional support before the onset of treatment: a desire to gain weight, height and to recover energy as their peers were the most frequent expectations listed. Half of the children (12/25) and their parents considered that the children's quality of life had improved consistently on a long term perspective as long as their medical condition was good enough to let them enjoy life without additional physical and treatment limitations. Dissatisfactions and resentment appeared when objectives stopped to be fulfilled because of the process of the disease (13/25). CONCLUSION: Home nutritional support can improve the quality of life in children as long as their medical condition remains free of long term infectious problems. Children's attitude toward nutritional support and their medical condition before onset are predictive parameters for positive outcomes. The unique aspects of HIV are obstacles which can compromise provision of treatment. A decision of nutritional support which would require to set apart the child from his/her family should be questioned.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Aged
- Body Image
- Caregivers
- Child
- Family
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Interviews as Topic
- Life
- Nutritional Status
- Nutritional Support
- Parents
- Prospective Studies
- Quality of Life
- Self Concept
Other ID:
UI: 102228623
From Meeting Abstracts