Objective: To describe bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in children and adolescents infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and to compare them with data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (NHANES IV). Method: The study included 48 children and adolescents (7 to 17 years old) infected with HIV through vertical transmission. BMC and BMD were measured by dual energy absorptiometry X-ray, by calculating z-scores based on data from NHANES IV. The information on clinical and laboratory parameters of infection by HIV was obtained from medical records. Physical activity, calcium intake, and skeletal maturation were also assessed. Descriptive and inferential statistical procedures were used, with levels of significance set at 5%. Results: Seropositive patients presented lower values compared to data from NHANES IV in all z-scores of bone mass (mean = −0.52 to −1.22, SD = 0.91 and 0.84, respectively). Based on the subtotal z-BMD, there was a prevalence of 16.7% of children and adolescents with low bone mass for age. Individuals using protease inhibitors presented a lower total http://dx.

Some subjects had virologic responses to TDF plus OBR, and TDF resistance was rare. TDF was well tolerated and can be considered for treatment of HIV-infected adolescents.

In the present sample children and adolescents living with HIV have low bone mass for age, and the use of protease inhibitors appears to be related to such decreases.

This study of TDF in combination with an OBR in antiretroviral-experienced adolescents did not meet its primary or secondary efficacy endpoints. The effectiveness of the OBR and baseline genotypic resistance to TDF in both groups may have confounded the efficacy findings. No clinically relevant TDF-related renal or bone toxicities were observed in this adolescent population.