Objective:To investigate the prevalence of oral manifestations and presence of early childhood caries (defined as caries affecting two or more surfaces of maxillary anterior teeth) in HIV pediatric patient on antiretroviral therapy. Abstract Text: Several oral lesions have been described in HIV seropositive children, including fungal, viral and bacterial infections, neoplasms, and presence of early childhood caries. But the incidence and prevalence of opportunistic infections vary with the stage of immunodeficiency, risk group, sex of patient and therapeutic management. Also the prevalence, incidence, and prognostic implications of oral manifestations with the intervention of antiretroviral therapy have not been investigated. 65 HIV seropositve children between the ages of 2-14 years attending regular physicians clinic, had oral examination which consisted of palpation and inspection of the mouth and facial structures with appropriate light and tongue blade depressor in a medical examination room over a 3 month period. Their medical charts were reviewed and findings correlated(CD4 count and viral load)to oral diseases. 2(3.2%)children had early childhood caries, 24 (36.9%) had carious lesion, 17(26.2%) had gingivitis 7(10.8%) had developmental delay, 1(1.5%) had oral candidiasis, and none had parotitis, herpes simplex, aphthous ulcer, HIV periodontitis and hairy leukoplakia. Compared to other studies e.g Valez et al 1994 and Katz et al 1994 the prevalence of oral manifestations in HIV seropositive in this study is very low. One explanation could be that antiretroviral therapy affects the progression and clinical oral manifestations of HIV in pediatric patients, and this may affect prevalence data of oral lesions in HIV patients.
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Early Childhood Caries
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.