Orofacial and systemic manifestations in 212 paediatric HIV patients from Chennai, South India.
BACKGROUND
Lesions in the mouth and in other tissues and organs (oral and systemic lesions) in paediatric HIV infection are diverse and show differences in clinical presentation and severity from that of adults. Very little data exist for oral lesions in paediatric population in India.


OBJECTIVE
To document and study oral and more widespread lesions in paediatric HIV seropositive patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Paediatric HIV seropositive patients at tertiary centers: Ragas Dental College and Hospital and YRG CARE, Chennai, India.


METHODS
Two hundred and twelve paediatric HIV patients aged 0-14 years seen over a period of 1 year were included in the study. Clinical history, oral and systemic examinations were recorded by qualified dental surgeons and physicians.


RESULTS
One hundred and thirty-two patients had oral lesions ranging in number from one to three. Oral lesions included oral candidiasis (OC) (56.1%), gingivitis (10.8%), oral pigmentation (6.1%), depapillation of the tongue (5.7%), ulcers (4.2%), and oral hairy leukoplakia (1.4%). The most common systemic lesion observed was nonspecific lymphadenopathy (74.1%) followed by pruritic eruptions (53.8%), measles (51.4%), and tuberculosis (TB) (49.1%). Thirty-three (26%) patients were not immunosuppressed, 74 (58%) were moderately immunosuppressed, and 20 (15%) were severely immunosuppressed. Oral lesions exhibited positive correlation with lesions in other parts of the body.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral lesions are a common feature in paediatric HIV infection. Their management is vital to improve the quality of life of the infected children.
Ranganathan
Kannan
K
Department of Oral Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai, India. ranjay22@gmail.com
Geethalakshmi
Elumalai
E
Krishna Mohan Rao
Umadevi
U
Vidya
Kaazhiyur Mudimbaimannar
KM
Kumarasamy
Nagalingeswaran
N
Solomon
Suniti
S
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D017733:Leukoplakia, Hairy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000453:epidemiology; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000453:epidemiology; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000473:pathology; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology