Impaired bone mineral accrual in prepubertal HIV-infected children: a cohort study

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bone mass accrual and determine the influence of clinical, anthropometric, dietary and biochemical parameters on bone mass. METHODS: A cohort study including 35 prepubertal HIV-infected children, between 7 and 12 years, attended at a referral center. At time 1 (T1) and time 2 (T2), patients were assessed according to clinical, anthropometric, dietary, biochemical parameters and bone mineral density (BMD). At T2, patients were divided into prepubertal and pubertal. RESULTS: Despite the increase in bone mass absolute values, there was no improvement in lumbar spine BMD (LSBMD) Z-score (p = 0.512) and worsening in total body BMD (TBMD) Z-score (p = 0.040). Pubertal patients (n = 19) showed higher bone mineral content (BMC) (p = 0.001), TBMD (p = 0.006) and LSBMD (p = 0.002) compared to prepubertal patients. After multivariate linear regression analysis, the predictors of bone mass in T1 were age, BMI and HAZ-scores for BMC; BMI Z-score, adequate serum magnesium concentration and dietary calcium intake for TBMD; adequate serum concentration of magnesium, BMI and HAZ-scores for LSBMD. In T2, age, total body fat and lean body mass (kg) for BMC; BMI Z-score and puberty for TBMD; dietary fat intake, BMI Z-score for BMD and puberty for LSBMD. CONCLUSION: HIV-infected children have compromised bone mass and the presence of puberty seems to provide suitability of these parameters. Adequate intake of calcium and fat appears to be protective for proper bone mass accumulation factor, as well as monitoring nutritional status and serum magnesium concentration.

Body Composition Changes and Predictors of Lipodystrophy in a Cohort of Pre-pubertal HIV- infected Children.

Aim: To evaluate body composition changes in HIV-infected patients and to identify the predictors of lipodystrophy over time. Methods: A cohort study, evaluated over two and a half years (Time 1: T1; Time 2: T2), including prepubertal HIV-infected children of both genders, between 7-12 years of age. Patient’s data such as transmission, use of prophylaxis for vertical HIV transmission, clinical and immunological classification of disease and current antiretroviral therapy were derived from the medical records. At T1, only subjects with pubertal stage 1 were included. Clinical, anthropometric, body composition and biochemical data were assessed. Patients were divided into two groups: with (LD+) and without lipodystrophy (LD-). Results: A total of 40 patients were enrolled, and 35 patients completed the study. Mean (SD) age was 9.6 (1.1) and 11.6 (1.2) years at T1 and T2, respectively. At T2, 16 (45.7%) children remained prepubertal. LD+ group (n = 8) showed a higher prevalence of short stature (p = 0.008) in T1; higher insulin (p = 0.010) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.013) and reduction of triceps skinfold thickness (p = 0.026) at T2. In both times, we observed lower concentrations of HDLc (p = 0.027), higher values of trunk to arm ratio (p = 0.002, p = 0.001) and lower values of limb to trunk ratio (p = 0.001) and gynoid fat (p= 0.001) in LD+ group. At T1, predictors of lipodystrophy were short stature (OR = 46.198, p = 0.019) and limb to trunk ratio (OR = 0.00009, p = 0.011); in T2, waist circumference (OR = 1.199, p = 0.025) and HDLc (OR = 0.835, p = 0.015). Presence of lipodystrophy was determinant of high insulin levels at T2. Conclusion: In a short period, LD+ group had significant changes in body fat distribution and also biochemical alterations associated to lipodystrophy syndrome.