Bone Mineral Content Is Lower in Prepubertal HIV-Infected Children

Summary: Total body bone mineral content (TBBMC) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in a cross-sectional study of 51 prepubertal HIV-infected children and 262 healthy prepubertal children aged 4.2 to 14.7 years. The mean TBBMC ± SD was lower in HIV-positive children than in HIV-negative controls (955 ± 325 vs. 1,106 ± 273 g, respectively; p = .0006). Reductions in TBBMC remained in the HIV-positive group after adjusting for age, sex, and race by analysis of covariance (p < .001). Differences in TBBMC between HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups persisted when height and weight were also accounted for in the analysis (p = .027). The magnitude of the difference in TBBMC between the groups increased with age. In the HIV-positive group, no associations were observed between TBBMC and use of a protease inhibitor, duration of treatment with antiretroviral medications, viral load, or CD4 cell count. TBBMC is decreased in HIV-infected children. As a result of compromised bone mineral accrual, HIV-infected children may be at increased risk for osteoporosis and related complications.