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Comparison among dental, skeletal and chronological development in HIV-positive children: a radiographic study
Rejane Maria Holderbaum1, Elaine Bauer Veeck, Helena Willhelm Oliveira
1School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive children showed delayed skeletal development compared to HIV-negative children. This bone development delay was observed despite antiretroviral therapy, indicating a significant impact of HIV on growth.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Radiology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can impact overall child development.
- Antiretroviral therapies have improved outcomes, but potential long-term effects on growth require ongoing evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare skeletal, dental, and chronological development in HIV-positive children versus a control group over four years.
- To assess the impact of HIV infection on bone and dental maturation in children.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 60 children (30 HIV-positive, 30 controls), aged 5 to 15 years.
- Analysis of panoramic and hand/wrist radiographs using standardized methods (Nolla for dental age, Greulich and Pyle/Eklöf and Ringertz for bone age).
- Statistical comparison using Student's t-test.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in skeletal and dental age versus chronological age were found between HIV-positive and HIV-negative children in both 1999 and 2003 (p < 0.05).
- HIV-positive children exhibited delayed bone development compared to controls, irrespective of sex.
- HIV-positive females showed younger dental ages relative to their chronological ages in both study years, while males showed this in 1999.
Conclusions:
- HIV-positive children experience delayed bone development, even with antiretroviral treatment.
- Dental age is also affected in HIV-positive children, particularly in females.
- These findings highlight the persistent impact of HIV on skeletal and dental maturation in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
The goal of this study was to evaluate skeletal, dental and chronological development in an HIV-positive group of children, as compared with a control group, during a four-year period. Panoramic radiographs and hand and wrist radiographs of 60 children were taken. The children, of both sexes, aged 5 years and 2 months to 15 years and 5 months, were selected as follows: 30 HIV-positive volunteers who had acquired the disease vertically, and 30 volunteers who did not present the HIV infection or any other systemic disease. All radiographs were technically standardized and analyzed according to criteria established by Nolla (dental age), Greulich and Pyle (bone age), and Eklöf and Ringertz (bone age). The results were submitted to Student's t-test at a 5% level of significance. Based on the comparison between the chronological age and the dental or the skeletal age, significant differences were observed between HIV-positive and HIV-negative children, both in 1999 and in 2003 (p < or = 0.05). Considering the results obtained with the methodology used, it was concluded that HIV-positive children of both sexes presented delayed bone development despite the administration of antiretroviral drugs, and that HIV-positive female children presented younger dental ages compared with their chronological ages in 1999 and in 2003; and HIV-positive males, in 1999.
