Abstract

DAVILA, María E.  and  GIL, Maritza. Oral manifestations and dental caries in children exposed to human immunodeficiency virus. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2011, vol.13, n.5, pp.833-843. ISSN 0124-0064.

Objective Determining oral manifestations and dental caries amongst children exposed to the immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods Thirty-seven (n=37) children attending the Colombian AIDS Control Program (PRONASIDA-Lara) pediatric service were studied. Parents and guardians were informed about the purpose of the study and its confidentiality. An oral examination was conducted by a dentist; parents/guardians were asked about their children's history of oral manifestations and this was corroborated with their clinical charts. Results The mean age was 5.15±3.79; 62.2 % were males. Ninety-eight point eight percent had become vertically infected. Most of the children were classified in the A immune suppression category (35.1 %). The highest percentage (37.8 %) of children were in the 15 %-24 % total CD4+ lymphocyte category. The most prevalent oral manifestations were oral candidiasis, angular cheilitis, linear gingival erythema and parotid enlargement. There was a significant statistical difference between percentages of CD4 lymphocytes and angular qualities (p<0.05). Forty-five point nine percent had dental caries and 54.1 % were in "urgent" need of dental treatment. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) showed that ¾ of the children needed dental treatment. Conclusions The results of the study led to concluding that there was a need for an oral manifestation management-based strategy focusing on clinical and preventative treatment, as oral manifestations are frequent in children suffering from HIV infection.

Keywords : Children; HIV; oral manifestation; dental caries.

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