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“Recent US study links high cholesterol to ART ”

Study links high cholesterol to ARVs

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released key findings of a recent study which links high cholesterol levels in children to taking antiretroviral medication. The study looked at toddlers between 12 to 23 months who contracted the virus from their mothers.

Specifically, the elevated cholesterol levels in toddlers was linked to the ARV-class known as protease inhibitors which interfere with the protease enzyme HIV uses when it makes copies of itself. The findings correspond with similar research among adults taking protease inhibitors and raised cholesterol.

According to lead researchers from the NIH the most effective response at this stage is to closely monitor children who are taking on protease inhibitors.

Elevated cholesterol in children places them at an elevated risk of heart disease.