[HIV infected child in otolaryngological practice]

The authors present material about 12 HIV infected children at the age between 0 and 18 years observed and treated in Department of Infectious Diseases Medical University of Gdansk in the period between 1991 till 2006. Retrospectively medical records of 4 of them currently undergoing observation and treatment have been analyzed taking into consideration: ways of HIV infection, applying the possible retroviral profilactic to a mother and a child, the damaging o of immunological condition in the period of observation and treatment as well as the possible head and neck changes. The authors come to conclusion that changes in oral cavity may be the first symptom of child HIV infection and in the oral candidiasis symptoms the possibility of HIV infection should be taken into account.