title: [Plasma antiretroviral levels in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Influence of sex and age].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pharmacologic studies have shown a relationship between plasma antiretroviral levels and toxicity/viral activity. Nevertheless, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data are inconsistent and limited in HIV-infected children. An analysis was performed of plasma antiretroviral concentrations in clinical practice and their influence on therapy efficacy in HIV-infected children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational, prospective, multicenter study, including HIV-infected children followed up at 5 reference hospitals between March 2006 and June 2008. Pre-dose plasma antiretroviral levels were determined and the relationships with various clinical and analytical variables were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 129 patients were included, and 41.3% had antiretroviral plasma levels outside the established range. No differences were found between sexes. Children younger than 1 year had a higher rate of suboptimal levels and higher viral load than the remaining children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antiretroviral plasma concentrations are more frequently suboptimal in children younger than 1 year. This finding is related with greater viral failure and implies a considerable challenge in this population, which requires very long-term treatment.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría-Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España. ananso@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Ana Pilar
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Nso-Roca
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Larru
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bellón
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mellado
authors.forename: José Tomás
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: María Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: María Angeles
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Fernández
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: de José
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents