• Intervention
    Is there evidence that micronutrient supplementation benefits people with HIV infection?
    • Conclusion

      13 publications were reviewed to evaluate micronutrient supplementation for people with HIV infection, including a Cochrane review published in 2005. The authors of the Cochrane review concluded that there was no conclusive evidence to show that micronutrient supplementation effectively reduces morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected adults, but that in children, there is evidence of benefit of vitamin A supplementation. Subsequent research reports that micronutrient deficiencies are common in HIV-infected individuals. Two randomized controlled trials based on adult men and women published since 2005 report increased morbidity and mortality in those not taking vitamin supplementation. In several publications of a randomized controlled trial in HIV-infected pregnant women, multivitamin supplementation improved nutritional status of their infants and children. Further research regarding type, dose and duration of micronutrient supplementation is needed. 

    • Grade: II
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.