Thread by @LSHTM

1⃣ #HIV harms children's bone health, which can be exacerbated by #antiretroviral drugs.

With @BristolUni & @UzSec, we found this was most marked in the last stage of puberty, especially affecting females.

🔗bit.ly/3pV57TD

So, what can be done? Thread 🧵 #WorldAIDSDay

2⃣ Interventions that may improve bone density during adolescence are 🔑, as this will influence skeletal strength for the rest of adulthood.

That's why, @TrialVitality is finding out whether vitamin D and calcium could help children living with #HIV 💊

#WorldAIDSDay

3⃣ @TrialVitality is taking place in two countries with high #HIV prevalence:

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
🇿🇲 Zambia

#WorldAIDSDay

4⃣ What's the process?

💊 Children are provided with a weekly dose of vitamin D and a daily calcium supplement for 48 weeks.

🔬 Samples are collected and scans are performed to measure Vitamin D status and bone density after 48 and 96 weeks.

#WorldAIDSDay

5⃣ Despite #COVID19, participant recruitment has now been completed in just under 10 months! 🙌

The @TrialVitality team hope to provide important new evidence in 2023 📝

Learn more 👉 vitality-trial.co.uk

#WorldAIDSDay