Evaluation of bone mineral density in children with vertical infection by HIV

Abstract

Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) are common in adults infected with human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV). There are few studies evaluating bone involvement in children infected. Objective: To evaluate BMD in vertically HIV-infected children. Methods: We studied 53 infected children (8-18 years) from fivehospitals. Disease status, nutritional assessment, vitamin D (25-OHD) levels and immunological status were recorded. BMD was measured by densitometry. Descriptive analysis, comparison of means and simple and multiple linear regression were used. Results: 88.7% children were in stage B and C, 57% were eutrophic and 18.9% had short stature. 33.3% had 25-OHD levels ˂ 20 ng / ml. 11%, 6% and 4% of the children had BMD <-2DE in hip, spine and whole body respectively. BMD was correlated with BMI, height, disease stage and years of treatment. Only protease inhibitors (PIs) maintained their significancewhen adjusted for other variables. Conclusion: children infected with HIV had lower BMD by age compared to NHANES III data. The severity of the disease, height, zBMI, years of treatment with antiretrovirals, mainly IP, are related to the reduction of bone mass.