Highly active antiretroviral-treated HIV-infected children show fat distribution changes even in absence of lipodystrophy

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Abstract
Combined use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows a precise estimate of regional body composition and intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAT). Data on body composition in HIV-infected children (HIV+) receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with (LD+) and without (LD–) lipodystrophy are lacking. DXA scans were performed in 34 HIV+: six LD+, 28 LD– and 34 pair-matched (age, sex and body mass index) healthy controls (HC): six for LD+ (HC+) and 28 for LD– (HC–). MRI scans were performed in 16 HIV+: six LD+, 10 LD– and 16 pair-matched (age and sex) HC. Data were analysed by analysis of variance, post hoc Fisher test and Mann–Whitney test. LD+ and LD– were similar for: previous exposure to zidovudine/zidovudine + didanosine, months on HAART (stavudine + lamuvidine + one protease inhibitor), CD4+ cells, patients with HIV-RNA < 50 copies/ml. In HIV+ and HC, fat mass and distribution were significantly different, whereas lean mass was comparable. Thus, LD+ and LD– as compared to HC+ and HC– respectively showed: (1) reduced fat amount and percentage; (2) lower truncal fat mass; (3) markedly reduced limbs fat mass. Within the HIV+ group, (4) LD+ showed higher fat trunk/fat total (P = 0.04) and lower fat limbs/ fat total ratios (P = 0.009) than LD–; (5) LD+ showed larger IAT areas than LD– and HC (P < 0.0003). Increased central fat and peripheral lipoatrophy are distinctive features of all HAART-treated children. Changes in body fat composition are detectable by DXA even in the absence of signs of Lipodystrophy. Only LD+ show true central obesity.