Cutaneous manifestations of HIV infection in children

The vast majority of children with infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) develop some form of mucocutaneous disease during the course of their illness. Candidal, fungal, bacterial, and viral infections of the skin and mucous membranes tend to be more severe and less responsive to therapy than in the healthy child. Children with HIV infection are also at risk for drug eruptions, seborrheic dermatitis, and several other inflammatory disorders of the skin. An understanding of the cutaneous manifestations of HIV infection may aid in the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this disease.