Chitinase-3-like 1 is associated with stunting and developmental delay in HIV-exposed but uninfected Ugandan children

Elspeth MacBain; Andrea L. Conroy; Jason Brophy; Fatima Kakkar; Sophie Namasopo; Robert O. Opoka; Michael T. Hawkes

doi:10.1097/QAD.0000000000004389

Chitinase-3-like 1 is associated with stunting and developmental delay in HIV-exposed but uninfected Ugandan children

Elspeth MacBain
, Andrea L. Conroy
, Jason Brophy
, Fatima Kakkar
, Sophie Namasopo
, Robert O. Opoka
, Michael T. Hawkes

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Chronic systemic inflammation may affect linear growth and neurodevelopment in children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (cHEU). We examined plasma concentrations of neutrophil activation marker chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) levels in 153 Ugandan cHEU. At 18 months of age, CHI3L1 levels were inversely correlated with height-for-age z scores (τB = -0.17, P = 0.0035) and a normalized developmental score (τB = -0.20, P = 0.00027). CHI3L1 appears to be a marker of adverse growth and development in cHEU.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	263-266
Number of pages	4
Journal	AIDS
Volume	40
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000004389
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2026
Externally published	Yes

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This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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10.1097/QAD.0000000000004389

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title = "Chitinase-3-like 1 is associated with stunting and developmental delay in HIV-exposed but uninfected Ugandan children",

abstract = "Chronic systemic inflammation may affect linear growth and neurodevelopment in children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (cHEU). We examined plasma concentrations of neutrophil activation marker chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) levels in 153 Ugandan cHEU. At 18 months of age, CHI3L1 levels were inversely correlated with height-for-age z scores (τB = -0.17, P = 0.0035) and a normalized developmental score (τB = -0.20, P = 0.00027). CHI3L1 appears to be a marker of adverse growth and development in cHEU.",

author = "Elspeth MacBain and Conroy, \{Andrea L.\} and Jason Brophy and Fatima Kakkar and Sophie Namasopo and Opoka, \{Robert O.\} and Hawkes, \{Michael T.\}",

year = "2026",

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doi = "10.1097/QAD.0000000000004389",

language = "English (US)",

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pages = "263--266",

journal = "AIDS",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Chitinase-3-like 1 is associated with stunting and developmental delay in HIV-exposed but uninfected Ugandan children

AU - MacBain, Elspeth

AU - Conroy, Andrea L.

AU - Brophy, Jason

AU - Kakkar, Fatima

AU - Namasopo, Sophie

AU - Opoka, Robert O.

AU - Hawkes, Michael T.

PY - 2026/2/1

Y1 - 2026/2/1

N2 - Chronic systemic inflammation may affect linear growth and neurodevelopment in children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (cHEU). We examined plasma concentrations of neutrophil activation marker chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) levels in 153 Ugandan cHEU. At 18 months of age, CHI3L1 levels were inversely correlated with height-for-age z scores (τB = -0.17, P = 0.0035) and a normalized developmental score (τB = -0.20, P = 0.00027). CHI3L1 appears to be a marker of adverse growth and development in cHEU.

AB - Chronic systemic inflammation may affect linear growth and neurodevelopment in children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (cHEU). We examined plasma concentrations of neutrophil activation marker chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) levels in 153 Ugandan cHEU. At 18 months of age, CHI3L1 levels were inversely correlated with height-for-age z scores (τB = -0.17, P = 0.0035) and a normalized developmental score (τB = -0.20, P = 0.00027). CHI3L1 appears to be a marker of adverse growth and development in cHEU.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105026221113

U2 - 10.1097/QAD.0000000000004389

DO - 10.1097/QAD.0000000000004389

M3 - Article

C2 - 41457990

AN - SCOPUS:105026221113

SN - 0269-9370

VL - 40

SP - 263

EP - 266

JO - AIDS

JF - AIDS

IS - 2

ER -

Chitinase-3-like 1 is associated with stunting and developmental delay in HIV-exposed but uninfected Ugandan children

Abstract

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