{
  "abstract": "Background: Globally, 15 million children were born HIV-exposed uninfected (CHEU) from mothers living with HIV. CHEU have increased mortality, morbidity and stunting compared to children HIV-unexposed (CHU). Our objective was to compare body composition between CHEU and CHU, which may underlie this vulnerability. Methods: In a substudy among 223 children (36 CHEU and 187 CHU) enrolled in the Sanitation Hygiene Infant Nutrition Efficacy (SHINE) trial in rural Zimbabwe, we measured height, knee-heel length, weight, calf circumference, skinfold thicknesses (triceps, subscapular and calf), and bio-electrical impedance at 2 years of age. Generalised estimating equations were used to compare body composition between CHEU and CHU, and interactions with linear growth and birthweight. Results: CHEU had significantly lower length-for-age, knee-heel length, weight-for-age, mid-upper arm circumference and calf circumference compared to CHU. CHEU had a lower impedance index (adjusted mean difference −0.49, 95% CI −0.87, −0.11), reflecting less lean mass, and lower skinfold thicknesses (subscapular Z-score adjusted mean difference −0.49 (95% CI −0.97, −0.02); triceps Z-score −0.48 (95% CI −0.83, −0.13)), indicating reduced subcutaneous fat. In early-life, CHEU had lower birthweight. However, no significant interaction between stunting or birthweight and HIV exposure was observed for body composition outcomes. Conclusion: CHEU have a distinct pattern of body composition by 2 years of age, characterised by reduced lean and fat mass compared to CHU which was not explained by reduced linear growth or lower birthweight. This pattern of early-life growth may contribute to the increased vulnerability of CHEU to mortality, morbidity and reduced neurodevelopment.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe",
    "Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom",
    "Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark",
    "Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America",
    "Population Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 12,
  "authors": [
    {
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        0
      ],
      "name": "Joe D. Piper"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
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      "name": "Robert Ntozini"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Idah Mapurisa"
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    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Tsitsi Mashedze"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Clever Mazhanga"
    },
    {
      "name": "Florence D. Majo"
    },
    {
      "name": "Bernard Chasekwa"
    },
    {
      "name": "Naume V. Tavengwa"
    },
    {
      "name": "Kim Michaelsen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jean Humphrey"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jonathan Wells"
    },
    {
      "name": "Andrew J. Prendergast"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7a56ty21mts4b.bib",
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  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0319542",
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  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
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  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
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  "native_subjects": [
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  "pmcid": null,
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  "published": "2026-09-11",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7a56ty21mts4b.ris",
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    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
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  "title": "Body composition of children born HIV-exposed uninfected in rural Zimbabwe",
  "title_text": "Body composition of children born HIV-exposed uninfected in rural Zimbabwe",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
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