In utero HIV exposure with placental insufficiency increases risk of stunting in 18-month old infants
Mothusi Nyofane, a PhD candidate worked on the UmbiGodisa study, a research project at our Centre looking at the infant anthropometrical outcomes at 18 months according to HIV-exposure and with/without intrauterine growth restriction caused by placental insufficiency. The latter was detected as an abnormal umbilical artery resistance index (UmA-RI) using the Umbiflow device. One of the main findings was that maternal HIV exposure and placental insufficiency are independent risk factors for childhood stunting, with this risk potentiated when these two risk factors are compounded.  
The length-for-age z-scores at 18 months in term-born infants are shown in the image below (CHEU=children exposed to HIV, CHUU= children not exposed to HIV).
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