RESUMEN
The objective of the cross-sectional study was to describe the prevalence of oral lesions and dental caries status in perinatally HIV-infected children who regularly visited the Sanpathong Hospital, Chiang Mai. Twenty-eight children with perinatal HIV infection, from 4 years and 9 months to 12 years of age, were included in this study. The children were examined for oral lesions and dental caries using modified WHO record forms. CD4 counts and history of receiving ART were also recorded. Samples of candidal culture were collected by oral swab. The results revealed that a total of 28.57% of the children had one or more lesions. Erythematous candidiasis was the most common oral lesion. By culture technique, yeasts were isolated from 16/28 (57.14 %) of the children. All children had a history of receiving ART for more than one year. Three children had CD4 counts less than 200 cells/ml while twenty-five children had CD4 count more than 200 cells/ml. The mean DMFT and DMFS scores were 2.07 and 3.32, respectively. The dft and dfs were 3 and 6.57, respectively. In conclusion, the prevalence of oral lesions appeared to be lower than that described in other studies in Northern Thailand. These findings suggest that the use of ART could lead to reduction in prevalence of HIV-associated oral lesions. Furthermore, appropriate care for oral lesions and dental caries was needed for HIV-infected children in Northern Thailand.Keywords: HIV, children, oral lesions, dental caries status, candidiasis, CD4