Oral Manifestations and HAART in HIV-Infected Children

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been associated with a decreased prevalence of oral manifestations (OM). Objectives: To assess the prevalence of OM in children infected with HIV. Methods: 111 children aged between 2 and 16 years were evaluated as follows: 51 children were under HAART (G1), 46 were using antiretroviral medication (G2), 14 were using no medication (G3). The association between HAART duration and OM was also assessed. Data were tabulated by EpiInfo 6.04. Results: The majority of patients had AIDS (65.8%), namely, G1 had 86.3%, G2 had 63%, and G3 had 0%. The mean length of therapy lasted 34.4 months, with no difference between G1 and G2 (Kruskal-Wallis; p = 0.917). The mean values regarding dmft and DMFT indexes were, respectively, 3.2 and 1.9 (G1), 2.8 and 1.6 (G2), and 3.8 and 3.0 (G3). OM prevalence was 23.4%, namely, G1 had 27.5%, G2 had 21.7%, and G3 had 14.3% (p > 0.05). Gingivitis was the most common oral manifestation (15.3%) seen in the three groups, followed by gingival linear erythema and pseudomembranous candidiasis in G1 and G2. With regard to the patients without AIDS (n=38), oral manifestations were seen in 29.4% of those using antiretroviral medication (G2) compared to those under HAART (G1), who had 0% (Chi-square; p > 0.05). With regard to therapy duration, 47.65% of the patients under HAART for at least 18 months had oral manifestations, compared to 13.3% of those being treated for a longer time (Chi-square; p = 0.007). Conclusion: Although OM prevalence was similar between the groups, it was less frequently seen in patients without AIDS and those under HAART. The duration of HAART had significant influence on the prevalence of oral manifestations.