title: Impact of HAART on growth and hospitalization rates among HIV-infected children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate HAART-associated changes in growth and hospitalization rates over time in a cohort of HIV-infected children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children starting HAART were assessed during the first 3 years of therapy. Clinical response was assessed every 24 weeks by z scores of weight-for-age and height-for-age. Linear regression models were used to detect predictors of clinical response. Pertinent information on hospitalizations was obtained retrospectively through review of medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 196 children were assessed. Mean weight z score increased from -1.62 (±1.32) at baseline to -1.14 (±1.12) by week 24. Mean height z score increased from -1.88 (±1.45) at baseline to -1.66 (±1.18). Better z scores at baseline were associated with greater increases in weight z scores over time. Lower viral load and higher height z scores at baseline were also associated with improved height catch-up. Eighty-five children (43.3%) were hospitalized. Most hospitalizations were prompted by infectious disease, with only two due to opportunistic infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HAART was associated with significant increases in weight and height z scores. Younger age, the use of protease inhibitors and advanced clinical disease were associated with better outcomes. The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of HAART in significantly reducing hospitalization, death, and incidence of opportunistic infections among HIV-infected children.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lilian Martins Oliveira
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Diniz
authors.forename: Marcelle Marie Martins
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Letícia Silveira
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Camargos
authors.forename: Leandro Custódio
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: Eugênio Marcos Andrade
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Goulart
authors.forename: Jorge Andrade
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors