Effect of protease inhibitors combined with standard antiretroviral therapy on linear growth and weight gain in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected children.

Children with HIV-1 infection and poor growth have a significant increase in the risk of death. We studied the effects of protease inhibitors on the height and weight of 27 HIV-1-infected children and found that in our small pilot study, protease inhibitor therapy had a positive effect on the heights of HIV-1-infected children. Accelerated height velocity was sustained for at least 18 to 20 months.