A Comparative Study of Oral Manifestations of HIV Amongst Affected and Unaffected Children

ABSTRACT

Background: There were around 40 million people estimatedto be affected HIV by the end of the year 2004, with childrenaccounted for approximately 3 million of the total subjects. Thedisease progression is quicker and more severe amongstchildren as they are in their developmental stage and due tothe immature immune system. The present study wasconducted with the aim to determine the frequency of oralmanifestations of HIV infection amongst pediatric subjects.Materials and Methods: The present observational studyconsisted of total 60 subjects, which were divided into 3groups, Group I comprised of 20 HIV positive pediatric subjectstaking HAART, Group II comprised of 20 HIV positive pediatricsubjects not taking HAART and Group III comprised of 20healthy controls. History of any oral lesion and managementstrategy taken by the subject were also recorded. Initially theextra-oral and perioral structures were evaluated, followed bythe intra-oral structures, for any alteration in size, color andshape of areas and for clinical signs of different lesions. Chisquare test was used for analysis. Probability value of lessthan 0.05 regarded as significant.Results: There were 25% subjects in group I, 55% in Group IIand no subject in Group III suffering from candidiasis.There were 20% subjects in group I, 45% in Group II and 15%subjects in Group III suffering from gingivitis/periodontitis.There was a significant difference in the incidence ofcandidiasis, periodontitis/Gingivitis, angular cheilitis amongstthe groups as the p value was less than 0.05.Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the orallesions amongst diseased and the controls. Highly significantdifference was observed in the incidence of candidiasis,angular cheilitis and lymphadenopathy.