A 12-month treatment with tenofovir does not impair bone mineral accrual in HIV-infected children.
BACKGROUND
Short-term use of tenofovir (TDF) has been associated with bone mineral loss in adults and children.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether the substitution of stavudine with TDF would result in decreased bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) accrual in HIV-infected children.


METHODS
The lumbar spine and whole-body BMC and BMD were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 16 HIV-infected children (age range: 6.4-17.9 years) on stable highly active antiretroviral therapy. Bone measurements were obtained 12 months before the switch, at baseline, and 12 months after switching to TDF. Expected changes in bone measurements were calculated from cross-sectional data obtained from 166 healthy children.


RESULTS
The BMC and BMD increments observed before switching therapy did not differ from expected increments. Similarly, the changes detected during treatment with TDF did not differ significantly from those calculated in healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Substitution to a TDF-containing antiretroviral regimen does not seem to impair bone mineral accrual in children showing a good immunologic response to antiretroviral treatment.
Giacomet
Vania
V
Department of Pediatrics, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Mora
Stefano
S
Martelli
Laura
L
Merlo
Marzia
M
Sciannamblo
Mariateresa
M
Viganò
Alessandra
A
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000225:Adenine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018119:Stavudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068698:Tenofovir
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000068698:Tenofovir; D018119:Stavudine; D000225:Adenine