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.

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

Design: A cross-sectional study.

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

Patients And 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.

Conclusion: Oral lesions are a common feature in paediatric HIV infection. Their management is vital to improve the quality of life of the infected children.