title: Prevalence of lipodystrophy in HIV-infected children: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the changes in body fat distribution and lipid abnormalities in a population of HIV-infected children and adolescents followed in one single centre who had been exposed, or not, to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients aged between 3 and 19 years were evaluated in a cross-sectional study carried out between October and December 2002. Fat redistribution was evaluated independently by the physician and the patient. Fasting blood lipid profile, glucose, insulin and C peptide were measured. Among the 88 patients evaluated, 74 were taking ART.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fat redistribution was present in 20 patients, metabolic alterations alone were found in 22 children and 46 children had neither physical nor metabolic abnormalities. Patients with fat redistribution were found to have been on ART for a significantly longer period of time, with 42% of the children showing fat redistribution having been treated with antiretroviral agents for more than 5 years. These children had also been exposed to a higher number of antiretroviral agents. In contrast, metabolic alterations in the absence of fat redistribution were not related to the duration of ART nor to the number of drugs received. Treatment with stavudine or protease inhibitors was significantly associated with the presence of physical changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular assessment of fat redistribution and metabolic markers should be carried out in children treated with antiretroviral agents and taken into account when adapting therapy during the long-term follow up of these children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric AIDS, Dr. Victor Babes Hospital for Infectious Disease, 281 Sos Mihai Bravu, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Luminita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ene
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goetghebuer
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hainaut
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peltier
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Toppet
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors