Otorhinolaryngological manifestations in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection

The otorhinolaryngological manifestations (ENTM) in AIDS were first described in 1983. Continuing research confirmed that the ENTM reached up to 100% of the infected individuals. In the infant population, this percentage is also found, differing by presenting specific ENTM. The main objectives of this study were to define the most common ENTM in HIV children and to observe the difference, when compared to non-infected children. The HIV detection was also correlated with the appearance of the first ENTM. The observational, case-control research involved the study of 40 children over a period of 1 year. It was found that HIV children have a higher occurrence of ENTM, herpes simplex virus gingivostomatitis, cervical lymphadenopathy and parotid hypertrophy. On the other hand, the proportion of children who developed rhinosinusitis, acute otitis media (AOM) and oral candidiasis (OC) were not statistically different among the groups. However, 90% of the HIV children presented at least one ENTM, as opposed to 45% of the immunocompetent children. Differences in the occurrence of the ENTM were noticed, some more suggestive of the HIV infection. Furthermore, the majority of the infected children had their first ENTM diagnosed before the infection of HIV was established.