Dyslipidemia in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy Receiving Care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Worldwide prevalence of dyslipidemia in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral medications (ARVs) is rising due to extensive use of treatment during their entire lives. Dyslipidemia is the potential side effect of ARVs, especially in individuals taking protease inhibitors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in HIV-infected children on ARVs receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Tanzania.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted from September 2015 to May 2016 at KCMC. HIV-infected children and adolescents less than 17 years on ARVs for more than 6 months were enrolled. Blood samples were taken to determine levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, lipoproteins (including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)), CD4+ T cells, and viral load (VL). Anthropometric measurements were used to assess nutritional status. SPSS 20.0 was used for analysis. Logistic regression estimated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), and value <.05 was considered significant. Written consent was obtained from parents/guardians on behalf of their children and assent for older children.

Results: A total of 260 participants were included in the study; the median age at HIV diagnosis was 3 (interquartile range (IQR) = 1-6) years. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 46.5% with hypercholesterolemia (⩾200 mg/dl) of 11.2%, HDL (<35 mg/dl) of 22.7%, LDL (⩾130 mg/dl) of 7.7%, and hyperglyceridemia (TG ⩾150 mg/dl) of 12.3%. Children aged between 6 and 12 years at HIV diagnosis had 2.7 times higher odds of developing dyslipidemia compared with younger age at diagnosis (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.1-6.6). Patients with advanced (OR = 6.4; 95% CI = 1.5-27.1) or severe (OR = 9.8; 95% CI = 1.2-76.5) HIV-associated immunodeficiency at diagnosis had higher odds of developing dyslipidemia. Protease inhibitor use was associated with higher odds of developing dyslipidemia (OR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.4-7.1).

Conclusion: Late diagnosis of HIV at 6 years of age or more, advanced, or severe immunosuppression, and the use of protease inhibitors were independent predictors of dyslipidemia in children on ARVs after 6 months of treatment, and with low HDL levels observed most commonly. Monitoring lipid profiles in children, especially those on protease inhibitors and with advanced/severe immunosuppression at diagnosis, may help in preventing future complications.