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

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.