Gingival status of HIV+ children and the correlation with caries incidence and immunologic profile.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine gingival health and caries levels in HIV-infected children.


METHODS
The modified gingival index (GI) of 43 HIV+ children of both sexes, aged between 2 and 12 years, was measured and correlated with the DMFT/dmf. The children's immunodeficiency level was also established by means of the CD4:CD8 ratio. Pearson's product-moment correlation co-efficient and the Mann-Whitney U test were used.


RESULTS
The GI was significantly related to the DMFT/dmf. The children with a GI = 0 presented significantly more DMFT/dmf than the children with a GI > or = 0.1, but there were no significant differences between the GIs of caries-free children and those with DMFT/dmf > or = 1. The children who presented a CD4:CD8 > or = 0.5 ratio presented less DMFT/dmf compared with children who presented a CD4:CD8 < 0.5 ratio. The children who presented a CD4:CD8 < 0.5 ratio presented a statistically significant correlation between their GI and their DMFT/dmf, unlike children who presented a CD4:CD8 > or = 0.5 ratio. Children with a CD4:CD8 < 0.5 who showed a greater DMFT/dmf index also showed greater gingival inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, children with greater caries experience showed more gingival inflammation. In addition, a greater immunological deficiency might indicate a greater caries experience in children.
Vieira
A R
AR
Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro School of Dentistry, Brazil.
de Souza
I P
IP
Modesto
A
A
Castro
G F
GF
Vianna
R
R
D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015994:Incidence; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index