CHRONIC HYPERTROPHIC PAROTITIS - A REVEAL ING SIGN OF HIV-INFECTION IN CHILDREN

The aim of this retrospective study is to show the importance of diagn osing chronic hypertrophic parotitis (CHP). A total of 579 cases of HI V infected children were assessed in the Pediatric Clinics of Infectio us Diseases ''Colentina'', Bucharest, Romania, during a three year per iod (January 1, 1990 - May 15, 1993). 135 cases with CHP were found in the course of HIV infection, In 10/135 cases (7.40 %), CHP was the on ly sign which had determined presentation to the physician. The onset of CHP related to HIV infection detection was simultaneous in 34/135 c ases (25.2 %), preceded it by 1-25 months in 9/135 (6.7 %) and followe d it in 92/135 cases (68.2 %). Most CHP cases were in the 3.5 to 4 yea rs of age subgroup: 29/135 cases (21.5 %). 126/135 cases (93.3 %) were in the 1 to 5 years of age subgroup. HIV infected children with CHP h ave a relative satisfactory nutritional status, when compared to the m arked denutrition in AIDS: eutrophy in 35/135 cases (25.93 %), protein -caloric malnutrition (PCM) I in 46/135 cases (34.1 %), PCM II in 43/1 35 cases (31.8 %) and PCM III in 11/135 cases (8.2 %). CHP appears bef ore the marked deterioration of CD4 cells, simultaneously with CD8 cel l proliferation. CHP develops at a stage of HIV infection when mid ter m prognosis will still be favorable.