OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS IN A PEDIATRIC HIV- POSITIVE POPULATION

Purpose HIV positive children underwent ophthalmologic examination to evaluate prospectively the incidence, and type of ocular involvement i n pediatric AIDS. Method Two ophthalmologists examined the children du ring their pediatric examination, for two years. When possible, a reti nography was performed. Results Among the 33 HIV positive children, 23 children developed AIDS according to CDC classification. The incidenc e was lower than reported in adult series. Retinal manifestations coul d be divided into two groups: 1, veinous dilatation and perivasculitis ; 2. retinal opportunistic infections: Ocular Toxoplasmosis was the ma in finding. In addition we report one case of herpetic keratitis. Anne xial complications were represented by conjonctivitis and molluscum co ntagiosum. Conclusion Manifestations of HIV infection in children appe ars to be different from adults. We recommend ophthalmic screening in all AIDS pediatric patients to diagnose and treat the infectious compl ications.