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Oral findings in HIV-seropositive children
L Ketchem1, R J Berkowitz, L McIlveen
1Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC.
Insights
Oral candidiasis was the most frequent oral finding in 47 children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study details oral health in pediatric HIV patients, noting candidiasis prevalence across different disease stages.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Oral medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can manifest with various oral complications in children.
- Understanding these oral findings is crucial for managing pediatric HIV care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the oral findings in a cohort of 47 HIV-seropositive children.
- To correlate oral health status with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classification of HIV disease.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of oral examinations in 47 HIV-seropositive children (25 female, 22 male; age 3 months to 6.5 years).
- Patients were categorized based on CDC staging (P-0, P-1, P-2), with a subset meeting Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) criteria.
Main Results:
- Oral candidiasis was the most prevalent finding, observed in 6/26 P-0 and 6/10 P-2 patients.
- Parotid swelling and gingivitis were each noted in only one patient.
- No mucosal lesions indicative of viral infections were detected.
Conclusions:
- Oral candidiasis is a significant oral finding in children with HIV, particularly in those with advanced disease (P-2).
- The low incidence of other specific oral lesions suggests a unique oral disease profile in this pediatric cohort.
Abstract:
The oral findings in 47 HIV-seropositive children are reported. The patient population consisted of 25 females and 22 males ranging in age from 3 months to 6.5 years. All patients were born to HIV-seropositive mothers. CDC classification of the patients indicated that 26 were P-O, 11 were P-1, and 10 were P-2 (eight of the P-2 patients met CDC criteria for AIDS). Oral candidiasis was the most common finding (six of 26 P-O patients and six of 10 P-2 patients). Only one patient each presented with parotid swelling and gingivitis. Mucosal lesions characteristic of viral infection were not observed in any of the patients.