Bone mineral content is lower in prepubertal HIV-infected children

Total bode bone mineral content (TBBMC) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in a cross-sectional studs of 51 prepubertal HIV-infected children and 262 healthy prepubertal children aged 4.2 to 14.7 Nears, 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 ofcovariarice (p <.001). Differences in TBBMC between HIV-positive and HIV-negative groups persisted when height and weight ere 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 croup. no associations ere 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.