Although there are abundant data on lipodystrophy in adults treated with HAART, few data are available on children with lipodystrophy and treated with HAART. The current study at the Institute of Child Health and the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, UK evaluated the impact of HAART on body fat distribution in children.

Results

• 98 HIV-infected children were enrolled.
• 59 had taken HAART, of whom 24 received a regimen containing protease inhibitors (PIs).
• 23 received stavudine (d4T); 39 had never been treated.
• Children exposed to PIs had reduced triceps and subscapular skinfolds compared with both non-PI treated children and untreated children (P=0.05).
• HIV-infected children receiving HAART both with and without PIs had lipid abnormalities, with higher total cholesterol levels compared with untreated children (P=0.001).

The authors conclude that children treated with HAART experience “body fat redistribution changes that are most evident in children exposed to PI therapy.”

12/09/05

Reference
A Dzwonek and others. Body fat changes and lipodystrophy in HIV-infected children: impact of HAART. Abstract 30. 7th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV. November 13-16, 2005, Dublin, Ireland. Antiviral Therapy 2005; 10:L22.