Frequency of oral manifestations in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate the frequenc y of oral manifestations in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrom e. It also attempted to correlate the presence of lesions with the patient' s degree of immunosuppression, as measured by the T4/T8 ratio. Method and m aterials: Oral examinations were performed in 51 children with acquired imm unodeficiency syndrome for a e-year period. A questionnaire used in this in vestigation was based on the children's classification proposed by the Cent ers for Disease Control in 1987. The children's T4/T8 ratios were obtained from their medical files. Results: Pseudomembranous candidiasis was the mos t common lesion, found in 21.57% of the children. Salivary gland disease wa s present in 19.61% of patients. Erythematous candidiasis was observed in 5 .88%, and linear gingival erythema and oral hairy leukoplakia were both obs erved in 1.96% of children. Children with a T4/T8 ratio < 0.5 were more pro ne to development of pseudomembranous candidiasis. Conclusion: Pseudomembra nous candidiasis was the most common type of oral lesion in human immunodef iciency virus-positive children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Th ere was a relationship between the frequency of oral manifestations and the patient's T4/T8 ratio.