Vitamin D Status in Children Living with HIV on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract

Vitamin D status is known to be frequently insufficient in non-HIV populations; however, the status of vitamin D in children living with HIV has not been identified. The aim of this review is to evaluate vitamin D status in children living with HIV and the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy in vitamin D concentrations. It has been noted that changes in vitamin D metabolism can occur in HIV infection due to highly active antiretroviral therapy and the infection itself. Recent findings suggest a predominant vitamin D insufficiency in HIV-infected children; likewise, studies have found that protease inhibitors, efavirenz, play an important role inhibiting the activation of vitamin D in the liver and kidney. Serum vitamin D status is frequently decreased in children living with HIV. Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health, so in this group, it is of great importance to determine the state of vitamin D to be able to favor bone peak accrual.