Lactate levels in children with HIV/AIDS on highly active antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

A total of 251 venous lactate levels were obtained from 127 children with HIV/AIDS; 104 on highly active antiretroviral therapy, and 23 not on therapy. Asymptomatic hyperlactatemia (> 2 mmol/l) was found in 41 children; no hepatic dysfunction or life-threatening lactic acidosis occurred. Asymptomatic hyperlactatemia is associated with treatment with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or protease inhibitors and with undetectable viral loads regardless of treatment regimen, suggesting that elevated lactate levels are useful in evaluating adherence.