Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Children: The Metabolic Cost of Improved Survival

Time to treatment disruption in children with HIV-1 randomized to initial antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitors versus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Choice of initial antiretroviral therapy regimen may help children with HIV maintain optimal, continuous therapy. We assessed treatment-naïve children for differences in time to treatment disruption across randomly-assigned protease inhibitor versus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based initial antiretroviral therapy.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of a multicenter phase 2/3, randomized, open-label trial in Europe, North and South America from 2002 to 2009. Children aged 31 days to <18 years, who were living with HIV-1 and treatment-naive, were randomized to antiretroviral therapy with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus a protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Time to first documented treatment disruption to any component of antiretroviral therapy, derived from treatment records and adherence questionnaires, was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimators and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The modified intention-to-treat analysis included 263 participants. Seventy-two percent (n = 190) of participants experienced at least one treatment disruption during study. At 4 years, treatment disruption probabilities were 70% (protease inhibitor) vs. 63% (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor). The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) for treatment disruptions comparing protease inhibitor vs. non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens was 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-1.61 (adjusted HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.91-1.68). By study end, treatment disruption probabilities converged (protease inhibitor 81%, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor 84%) with unadjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.84-1.48 (adjusted HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.84-1.50). Reported reasons for treatment disruptions suggested that participants on protease inhibitors experienced greater tolerability problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Children had similar time to treatment disruption for initial protease inhibitor and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy, despite greater reported tolerability problems with protease inhibitor regimens. Initial pediatric antiretroviral therapy with either a protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor may be acceptable for maintaining optimal, continuous therapy.

Influence of AIDS antiretroviral therapy on the growth pattern

OBJECTIVES

Human immunodeficiency virus infection can result in the early impairment of anthropometric indicators in children and adolescents. However, combined antiretroviral therapy has improved, in addition to the immune response and viral infection, the weight and height development in infected individuals. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the effect of combined antiretroviral on the growth development of human immunodeficiency virus infected children and adolescents.

SOURCE OF DATA

A systematic review was performed. In the study, the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) strategy was used as the eligibility criterion. The MEDLINE-PubMed and LILACS databases were searched using these descriptors: HIV, children, growth, antiretroviral therapy. The objective was defined by the population, intervention, comparison/control, and outcome (PICO) technique. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied for study selection.

SYNTHESIS OF DATA

Of the 549 studies indexed in MEDLINE-PubMed and LILACS, 73 were read in full, and 44 were included in the review (33 showed a positive impact of combined antiretroviral therapy on weight/height development, ten on weight gain, and one on height gain in children and adolescents infected with human immunodeficiency virus). However, the increase in growth was not enough to normalize the height of infected children when compared to children of the same age and gender without human immunodeficiency virus infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined antiretroviral therapy, which is known to play a role in the improvement of viral and immunological markers, may influence in the weight and height development in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The earlier the infection diagnosis and, concomitantly, of malnutrition and the start of combined antiretroviral therapy, the lower the growth impairment when compared to healthy children.

Efavirenz and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir use exhibited elevated markers of atherosclerosis across age groups in people living with HIV in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

HIV patients on highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have shown elevated incidence of dyslipidemia, lipodystrophy, and markers of cardiovascular disease. Evidence is beginning to emerge that implicates efavirenz (EFV) as a potential mediator of early on-set cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

Pediatric and adult HIV-infected HAART-naïve, EFV-treated, nevirapine (NVP)-treated, and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r)-treated subjects were recruited from Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid arterial stiffness, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), body mass index, waist-to-hip circumference ratio, and skinfold thickness were measured. CD4+ cell count, fasting glucose, lipoprotein profiles and triglycerides were also determined. Results were segmented into pediatric (6-17 years of age), young adults (25-39 years old) and older adults (40-60 years old).

RESULTS

PWV was generally elevated in EFV- and LPV/r-treated subjects compared to NVP-treated subjects across age groups. cIMT was elevated in EFV- and LPV/r-treated compared to NVP-treated older adults and in EFV-treated compared to HAART-naïve older adults. FMD was impaired in EFV- and LPV/r-treated compared to HAART-naïve younger adults, in EFV-treated compared to NVP-treated young and older adults, and in LPV/r-treated compared to NVP-treated older adults. Differences in lipoprotein profiles and skinfold thickness with HAART regimen were observed in pediatric and young adults, but less so in older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas LPV/r and other protease inhibitors have long been recognized as mediators of HIV/HAART-associated atherosclerosis, this report supports the emerging evidence that EFV may also mediate cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV on HAART.

The physical and psychological effects of HIV infection and its treatment on perinatally HIV-infected children

INTRODUCTION

As highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) transforms human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into a manageable chronic disease, new challenges are emerging in treating children born with HIV, including a number of risks to their physical and psychological health due to HIV infection and its lifelong treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a literature review to evaluate the evidence on the physical and psychological effects of perinatal HIV (PHIV+) infection and its treatment in the era of HAART, including major chronic comorbidities.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Perinatally infected children face concerning levels of treatment failure and drug resistance, which may hamper their long-term treatment and result in more significant comorbidities. Physical complications from PHIV+ infection and treatment potentially affect all major organ systems. Although treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) therapy has reduced incidence of severe neurocognitive diseases like HIV encephalopathy, perinatally infected children may experience less severe neurocognitive complications related to HIV disease and ARV neurotoxicity. Major metabolic complications include dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance, complications that are associated with both HIV infection and several ARV agents and may significantly affect cardiovascular disease risk with age. Bone abnormalities, particularly amongst children treated with tenofovir, are a concern for perinatally infected children who may be at higher risk for bone fractures and osteoporosis. In many studies, rates of anaemia are significantly higher for HIV-infected children. Renal failure is a significant complication and cause of death amongst perinatally infected children, while new data on sexual and reproductive health suggest that sexually transmitted infections and birth complications may be additional concerns for perinatally infected children in adolescence. Finally, perinatally infected children may face psychological challenges, including higher rates of mental health and behavioural disorders. Existing studies have significant methodological limitations, including small sample sizes, inappropriate control groups and heterogeneous definitions, to name a few.

CONCLUSIONS

Success in treating perinatally HIV-infected children and better understanding of the physical and psychological implications of lifelong HIV infection require that we address a new set of challenges for children. A better understanding of these challenges will guide care providers, researchers and policymakers towards more effective HIV care management for perinatally infected children and their transition to adulthood.

[High prevalence of physical inactivity among adolescents living with HIV/Aids]

Objective:

To assess the prevalence of physical inactivity among adolescents with HIV/AIDS, as well as associated factors.

Methods:

Ninety-one adolescents (from 10 to 19 years old) with HIV/AIDS who are patients at a university follow-up service were interviewed. Anthropometric data (weight, height, and waist circumference) were measured twice; clinical information was obtained from medical records, and habitual physical activity was assessed by a questionnaire proposed by Florindo et al. The cutoff point for sedentariness was 300 minutes/week.

Results:

The prevalence of inadequate height for age, malnutrition, and overweight/obesity was 15.4%, 9.9% and 12.1%, respectively. The most common physical activities were soccer (44.4%), volleyball (14.4%) and cycling (7.8%). The median times spent with physical activity and walking/bicycling to school were 141 min and 39 min, respectively. Most adolescents (71.4%) were sedentary and this proportion was higher among girls (p=0.046).

Conclusions:

A high prevalence of physical inactivity among adolescents with HIV/AIDS was observed, similar to the general population. Promoting physical activity among adolescents, especially among girls with HIV/AIDS, as well as monitoring it should be part of the follow-up routine of these patients.

Possible Biomarkers for the Early Detection of HIV-associated Heart Diseases: A Proteomics and Bioinformatics Prediction

The frequency of cardiovascular disorders is increasing in HIV-infected individuals despite a significant reduction in the viral load by antiretroviral therapies (ART). Since the CD4 + T-cells are responsible for the viral load as well as immunological responses, we hypothesized that chronic HIV-infection of T-cells produces novel proteins/enzymes that cause cardiac dysfunctions. To identify specific factors that might cause cardiac disorders without the influence of numerous cofactors produced by other pathogenic microorganisms that co-inhabit most HIV-infected individuals, we analyzed genome-wide proteomes of a CD4 + T-cell line at different stages of HIV replication and cell growth over > 6 months. Subtractive analyses of several hundred differentially regulated proteins from HIV-infected and uninfected counterpart cells and comparisons with proteins expressed from the same cells after treating with the antiviral drug Zidovudine/AZT and inhibiting virus replication, identified a well-coordinated network of 12 soluble/diffusible proteins in HIV-infected cells. Functional categorization, bioinformatics and statistical analyses of each protein predicted that the expression of cardiac-specific Ca2 + kinase together with multiple Ca2 + release channels causes a sustained overload of Ca2 + in the heart which induces fetal/cardiac myosin heavy chains (MYH6 and MYH7) and a myosin light-chain kinase. Each of these proteins has been shown to cause cardiac stress, arrhythmia, hypertrophic signaling, cardiomyopathy and heart failure (p = 8 × 10^− 11). Translational studies using the newly discovered proteins produced by HIV infection alone would provide additional biomarkers that could be added to the conventional markers for an early diagnosis and/or development of specific therapeutic interventions for heart diseases in HIV-infected individuals.

Lipodystrophy syndrome among HIV infected children on highly active antiretroviral therapy in northern India

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that about 2.5 million people are living with HIV infection in India. Although antiretroviral drugs have been able to reduce the mortality, these drugs have serious side effects one of which is lipodystrophy syndrome. Most of the drugs used in HAART viz, protease inhibitors, stavudine and nevirapine are associated with lipodystrophy. Hence we conducted this study to assess the prevalence of lipodystrophy in HIV infected children on HAART and its associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross sectional study was conducted on 80 HIV infected children aged 2-18 years of age who were on stavudine based HAART for ≥ 2 years. These children were assessed for presence of lipodystrophy, its metabolic complications and associated risk factors.

RESULTS

Lipodystrophy was observed in 33.7% of children with lipoatrophy being the commonest subtype followed by lipohypertrophy. Older age, increased duration of treatment and dyslipidaemia were found to be associated in patients with lipodystrophy than those without. On further multivariate analysis of independent risk factors only increased duration of treatment was significantly associated with lipodystrophy. No association was found with insulin resistance.

CONCLUSION

We observed that lipodystrophy is a common finding in HIV patients treated with HAART for long duration.

Prevalence of lipodystrophy in HIV-infected children in Tanzania on highly active antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been associated with lipodystrophy (LD) in adults but data are more limited for children. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for LD in Tanzanian children receiving HAART by clinical assessment and to compare the results with anthropometric data.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in a cohort of HIV-infected children aged 1-18 years receiving HAART in a single center in Moshi, Tanzania. Age, gender, past and current medication regimens and anthropometric measurements were recorded. A clinical scoring method was used to assess LD. Backward binary multivariate logistic regression was used to determine relationships between anthropometric measurements and the presence of clinical LD.

RESULTS

Among 210 HIV-infected children, the prevalence of LD was 30% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.8-36.2) overall, 19% (95% CI: 13.7-24.3) for lipoatrophy only, 3.8% (95% CI: 1.2-6.4) for lipohypertrophy only and 7.1% (95% CI: 3.6-10.6) for the mixed type. Most cases were mild. Older age and use of stavudine increased the risk of LD. Overall, the study population was stunted but not underweight. In children with relatively lower weight-for-height (<1), only the mid-upper arm circumference was found to be associated with lipoatrophy, while nearly all anthropometric measurements were associated with lipoatrophy in the well-nourished (weight-for-height ≥1) children.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that LD is a significant problem among Tanzanian HIV-infected children receiving HAART. Anthropometric measurements predicted LD in well-nourished children but generally failed to do so in relatively wasted children. Our findings support current efforts to avoid stavudine use in children.

[Characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus-1 infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy: a cross-sectional study]

INTRODUCTION

Since 1996, when HAART became available, there has been a change in the course of HIV-infection, leading it to become a chronic disease. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of the children followed up in our hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 32 HIV-infected children followed up until December-2010, at the University-Hospital de Getafe. Clinical and laboratory information from the last visit was collected for the evaluation of patients.

RESULTS

Thirty-two children with HIV-1 were evaluated, 29 infected through vertical-transmission. The median age was 14 years. According to the CDC classification, 56% (18/32) of children were in category A, 28% (9/32) B and 16% (5/32) C. Immunological class was 3 in 75% of children, class 2 in 9% and class 1 in 16%. The median nadir of CD4 was 337 cells/ml (12%). The median current CD4 was 749 (31%). Only one adolescent had a CD4% below 200 cells/ml due to lack of adherence. Twenty-eight patients (87%) were receiving HAART, and 4 patients were off antiretroviral treatment. Among the patients treated, 26 (93%) had viral loads <200 copies/ml. The median viral-load was<20 copies/ml. Median time on antiretroviral treatment was 10 years. The combination more frequently used was two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and one protease inhibitor (PI), that was given to 15 patients (47%), followed by 2 NRTI, and one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) in 8 patients (29%). Two children received rescue therapy including raltegravir, one with tipranavir and the other with darunavir. A total of 12 patients (43%) received medication once a day, 7 of them with fixed-dose combinations in a single tablet (25%). There were metabolic complications, including hyperlipidaemia or lipodystrophy were observed in 17 children (53%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most of our patients are receiving HAART, with good virological and immunological control. The prevalence of metabolic abnormalities was high. Strategies to improve adherence and decrease toxicities are needed in perinatally-acquired HIV-infected children.

Metabolic acidosis in AIDS patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Metabolic acidosis (MA) is a frequent and serious complication in HIV-infected patients. The aim of the study is to compare patients with and without MA associated with HIV.

METHODS

Patients were retrospectively studied involving all HIV-infected patients with blood gas analysis performed during hospital stay admitted to a single hospital between April 2004 and July 2006. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 10.0 for Windows.

RESULTS

Included in the study were 159 HIV patients, 72 cases (45.3%) with MA and 87 cases (54.7%) without. The comparison of both groups showed a mean arterial pH of 7.24 +/- 0.08 vs. 7.44 +/- 0.05, HCO(3) 12 +/- 5.7 vs. 21 +/- 5.1 mEq/L, serum urea 81 +/- 68 mg/dL vs. 39 +/- 46 mg/dL and serum creatinine 2.7 +/- 2.6 mg/dL vs. 1.2 +/- 1.9 mg/dL in MA-HIV and non-MA-HIV, respectively (p <0.05). Antiretroviral therapy (ART) was being administered to 38 subjects (52.8%) in MA-HIV group and 45 (51.7%) in non-MA-HIV group (p = 0.57). There was no association between the use of ART and MA. Mortality was higher in patients with acidosis (52.7 vs. 17.2%, p <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, MA was associated with acute kidney injury and increased mortality. There was no association between the use of ART and MA.

Low prevalence of insulin resistance among HIV-infected children receiving nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based highly active antiretroviral therapy in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is reported to cause insulin resistance among adults, but effects on children are less clear. We attempted to describe the prevalence of insulin resistance among HIV-infected children receiving HAART.

METHODS

Insulin resistance was assessed at 96 weeks of treatment with nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based HAART (nevirapine or efavirenz with stavudine and lamivudine) among children in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Insulin resistance was defined as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) >/=3.16, fasting c-peptide >/=4.40 ng/mL or fasting insulin >/=25.0 muU/mL. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was defined as glucose >/=110 mg/dL. Measurements were analysed for associations with age, lipodystrophy, treatment regimen and clinical data.

RESULTS

The prevalence of insulin resistance was 6.5%; no child had IFG. Those with insulin resistance were older with higher body mass index. Children >/=10 years had higher HOMA-IR, c-peptide and insulin, but no difference was seen in the frequency of insulin resistance. No associations between insulin resistance and lipodystrophy or treatment regimen were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin resistance is uncommon among children receiving NNRTI-based HAART and is unrelated to lipodystrophy.

HIV replication enhances production of free fatty acids, low density lipoproteins and many key proteins involved in lipid metabolism: a proteomics study

Background

HIV-infected patients develop multiple metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia. Although progression of these disorders has been associated with the use of various protease inhibitors and other antiretroviral drugs, HIV-infected individuals who have not received these treatments also develop lipid abnormalities albeit to a lesser extent. How HIV alters lipid metabolism in an infected cell and what molecular changes are affected through protein interaction pathways are not well-understood.

Results

Since many genetic, epigenetic, dietary and other factors influence lipid metabolism in vivo, we have chosen to study genome-wide changes in the proteomes of a human T-cell line before and after HIV infection in order to circumvent computational problems associated with multiple variables. Four separate experiments were conducted including one that compared 14 different time points over a period of >3 months. By subtractive analyses of protein profiles overtime, several hundred differentially expressed proteins were identified in HIV-infected cells by mass spectrometry and each protein was scrutinized for its biological functions by using various bioinformatics programs. Herein, we report 18 HIV-modulated proteins and their interaction pathways that enhance fatty acid synthesis, increase low density lipoproteins (triglycerides), dysregulate lipid transport, oxidize lipids, and alter cellular lipid metabolism.

Conclusions

We conclude that HIV replication alone (i.e. without any influence of antiviral drugs, or other human genetic factors), can induce novel cellular enzymes and proteins that are significantly associated with biologically relevant processes involved in lipid synthesis, transport and metabolism (p = <0.0002–0.01). Translational and clinical studies on the newly discovered proteins may now shed light on how some of these proteins may be useful for early diagnosis of individuals who might be at high risk for developing lipid-related disorders. The target proteins could then be used for future studies in the development of inhibitors for preventing lipid-metabolic anomalies. This is the first direct evidence that HIV-modulates production of proteins that are significantly involved in disrupting the normal lipid-metabolic pathways.

O papel do hormônio de crescimento no tratamento dos distúrbios endócrino-metabólicos do paciente com a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (Aids)

As primeiras descrições da síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (Aids) associavam-se à síndrome de emaciamento, e os distúrbios metabólicos às alterações na composição corporal. Após a introdução da terapia anti-retroviral altamente ativa (HAART), houve declínio na desnutrição, e surge a lipodistrofia como importante distúrbio metabólico. A Aids também se caracteriza por distúrbios hormonais, principalmente no eixo hormônio de crescimento/fator de crescimento insulina-like tipo 1 (GH/IGF-1). O uso do GH recombinante humano (hrGH) foi inicialmente indicado na síndrome de emaciamento, a fim de aumentar a massa muscular. Embora também não existam dúvidas quanto aos efeitos do hrGH na lipodistrofia, a diminuição na sensibilidade à insulina limita o seu uso, o qual ainda não está oficialmente aprovado. A diversidade nos esquemas de tratamento é outro limitante do uso dessa medicação em pacientes com Aids. Esta revisão apresenta os principais distúrbios endócrino-metabólicos associados à Aids e ao uso do hrGH nessas condições.

Lipodystrophy and metabolic changes in HIV-infected children on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy

Background

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has recently been implemented in Thailand. Its long-term effects have not been clearly evaluated. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lipodystrophy (LD) and other metabolic changes in HIV-infected children receiving HAART.

Methods

Ninety children who began HAART (either nevirapine or efavirenz, together with lamivudine and stavudine) were prospectively followed. LD was assessed by waist-to-hip ratio and LD checklist. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as total cholesterol >200 mg/dl and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >130 mg/dl. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), hypertriglyc-eridaemia and hyperglycaemia were defined as HDL-c <40 mg/dl, triglyceride >200 mg/dl and plasma glucose >110 mg/dl, respectively.

Results

The mean age at entry was 7.6 (sd 2.9) years. Fifty-three children received nevirapine- and 37 received efavirenz-based HAART. The prevalence of LD was 9%, 47% and 65% at 48, 96 and 144 weeks after HAART initiation, respectively. Patterns of LD at week 144 were central lipohypertrophy (46%), peripheral lipoatrophy (20%), and combined type (34%). A higher prevalence of LD was found among females (61% versus 39%; P=0.04) and those with more advanced disease (CDC category B or C) at baseline (73% versus 51%; P=0.04). There was no difference in prevalence of LD between the two regimens. At 144 weeks, fasting hypertriglyceridaemia was detected in 12%, hypercholesterolaemia in 11%, and increased plasma glucose in 4% of children. Low HDL-cholesterolaemia decreased from 94% at baseline to 12% at week 144 ( P<0.01).

Conclusions

More than half of the children developed LD at 144 weeks after HAART. Dyslipidaemia occurred in 11–12% of children.

Evaluation of insulin resistance in a cohort of HIV-infected youth

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic abnormalities, including impairment of glucose homeostasis, have been well characterized in HIV-infected patients. In contrast to adults, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus appear to be relatively uncommon finding in youth.

DESIGN

We assessed insulin resistance, and associated risk factors, in a population of vertically HIV-infected children and young adults, when compared with a control population of healthy children.

METHODS

At the time of enrolment, weeks of pregnancy, birth weight, sex, age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), pubertal stages, CDC classification, blood pressure, clinical lipodystrophy, hepatitis B or C co-infection, antiretroviral therapy, CD4 T lymphocyte counts, and HIV-RNA levels were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined. These parameters were compared between HIV patients and healthy controls with multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Fasting insulin levels (OR=1.21, P<0.001) and glycemia (OR=0.89, P<0.001) were significantly different between HIV-infected patients and controls. Antiretroviral therapy duration (r=0.281, P<0.05), triglyceride levels (r=0.286, P<0.05), age (r=0.299, P<0.05), and BMI SDS (r=0.485, P<0.001) were significant predictor variables of insulin resistance, expressed as HOMA-IR. Moreover, clinical lipodystrophy seems to be strongly correlated to glycemia (P<0.05), triglyceride levels (P<0.05), serum insulin levels (P<0.001), HOMA-IR (P<0.05), and also with therapy duration (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy demonstrate differential effects on glucose metabolism in HIV-infected children. Targeted prevention of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus in HIV-infected children and young adults is needed in order to avoid the associated long-term complications that would otherwise occur, given the improvement in life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals.