The aim was to characterize feeding aspects of children born exposed to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Cross-sectional study was developed at a referral hospital for infectious diseases in Fortaleza-Ceará, Brazil, between January and June 2010. The sample consisted of 62 mothers who provided information on 64 children born exposed to the virus. In the nursing consultation, the Assessment Scale of Care Skills for Children Exposed to Human Immunodeficiency Virus at Birth and forms for sociodemographic and dietary characterization were used. It was found that 57.8% of children had inappropriate intake of milk, 55.0% had inappropriate complementary feeding, 87.0% of mothers had a high capacity to offer milk powder and, in relation to complementary feeding, the ability ranged from moderate (45.7%) to high (48.5%). Thirteen nursing diagnoses showing feeding problems and deficits in care that require nursing interventions appropriate to the social context of each patient were identified.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Child; Feeding; Nursing diagnosis