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Micronutrient supplementation in children and adults with HIV infection

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Abstract

Background

Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread and compound the effects of HIV disease; micronutrient supplements may be effective and safe in reducing this burden.

Objectives

To assess whether micronutrient supplements are effective and safe in reducing mortality and morbidity in adults and children with HIV infection.

Search methods

The CENTRAL, EMBASE, PubMed, and GATEWAY databases were searched for randomised controlled trials of micronutrient supplements using the search methods of the Cochrane HIV/AIDS Group.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials were selected that compared the effects of micronutrient supplements (vitamins, trace elements, and combinations of these) with other supplements, placebo or no treatment on mortality, morbidity, pregnancy outcomes, immunologic indicators, and anthropometric measures in HIV‐infected adults and children. Any adverse effects of supplementation were recorded.

Data collection and analysis

Two reviewers independently selected trials, appraised trial quality for risk of bias using standardised criteria, and extracted data using standardised forms.

Main results

Sixteen additional trials are included in this update to the original Cochrane review (Irlam 2005). Overall, 30 trials involving 22 120 participants are reviewed: 20 trials of single supplements (vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, selenium) and 10 of multiple micronutrients. Eight trials were undertaken in child populations.

None of the six trials of vitamin A or beta‐carotene supplementation in adults demonstrated any significant reduction in HIV disease progression. Vitamin A halved all‐cause mortality in a meta‐analysis of three trials in African children, had inconsistent impacts on diarrhoeal and respiratory morbidity, and improved short‐term growth in one trial. No significant adverse effects of vitamin A in adults or children have been reported.

Zinc supplements reduced diarrhoeal morbidity and had no adverse effects on disease progression in a single safety trial in South African children. No significant clinical benefits were found from zinc supplementation of pregnant Tanzanian women or Peruvian adults with persistent diarrhoea.

Selenium reduced diarrhoeal morbidity in pregnant women in Tanzania, and reduced viral load in two separate small trials in American adults.

Single trials of vitamin D supplements in adults, and in adolescents and children, demonstrated safety but no clinical benefits.

Multiple micronutrient supplements conferred multiple clinical benefits to pregnant women and their offspring in a large Tanzanian trial. Supplementation in another Tanzanian trial reduced the recurrence of pulmonary TB and increased weight gain in co‐infected patients. No significant adverse effects were reported.

Authors' conclusions

Multiple micronutrient supplements reduced morbidity and mortality in HIV‐infected pregnant women and their offspring and also improved early child growth in one large randomised controlled trial in Africa. Additional research is needed to determine if these are generalisable findings. Vitamin A supplementation is beneficial and safe in HIV‐infected children, but further evidence is needed to establish if supplementation confers similar benefits in HIV‐infected adults. Zinc is safe in HIV‐infected adults and children. It may have similar benefits in HIV‐infected children and adults, and uninfected children with diarrhoea, as it does in HIV‐uninfected children.

Further trials of single supplements (vitamin D, zinc, and selenium) are required to build the evidence base. The long‐term clinical benefits, adverse effects, and optimal formulation of multiple micronutrient supplements require further investigation in individuals with diverse disease status.

 

PICOs

Population
Intervention
Comparison
Outcome

The PICO model is widely used and taught in evidence-based health care as a strategy for formulating questions and search strategies and for characterizing clinical studies or meta-analyses. PICO stands for four different potential components of a clinical question: Patient, Population or Problem; Intervention; Comparison; Outcome.

See more on using PICO in the Cochrane Handbook.

Plain language summary

Micronutrient supplementation for children and adults with HIV infection

Multiple micronutrient supplements offer some benefits and are safe in HIV‐infected pregnant women and their offspring. Vitamin A and zinc supplements are beneficial and safe in HIV‐exposed and HIV‐infected children. Further research is needed to build the evidence base for single supplements in adults and children in diverse settings.