Insulin Resistance and Protein Turnover in HIV-Infected Children on Protease Inhibitors

This study focuses on HIV-infected children and the effects of a type of medication known as protease inhibitors. These drugs have shown to improve body weight and immune status, while reducing hospitalizations. However, they may also lead to some negative side-effects, such as diabetes and fat redistribution. Diabetes can cause serious complications like heart disease, eye disease, and kidney function loss. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the potential risks and benefits of using protease inhibitors in children with HIV. The study also considers the impact of family history of diabetes and ethnicity on the development of diabetes in these children. In this study, researchers will measure insulin resistance in HIV-infected children who are not taking protease inhibitors and compare the results with those who are on this treatment. They will also monitor patients starting protease inhibitor therapy for two years to evaluate changes in insulin sensitivity. Additionally, the study will examine how the bodies of HIV-infected children use and store protein, which often affects their weight gain and growth. The impact of protease inhibitor therapy on protein turnover will also be studied. The findings should help clinicians make informed recommendations for nutritional and medical therapy for HIV-infected children.