Oral Manifestations in HIV-Positive Children: A Systematic Review.

Dorina Lauritano,Dario Di Stasio,Francesco Carinci,Giulia Moreo,Massimo Conese,Alberta Lucchese,Luca Oberti

doi:10.3390/pathogens9020088

Abstract

Background: The number of pediatric patients affected by HIV still remains high, mainly in developing countries, where the main cause of infection is vertical transmission from the mother. Even today, a large number of these children do not have access to treatment, and, without proper care, they die in the first few years of life. Objective: The aim of our review was to assess the prevalence of oral hard and soft tissue lesions in HIV-positive pediatric patients by identifying the most common manifestations and the overall impact that they may have on the children’s quality of life. Study design: A systematic review of the articles in the English language in PubMed and Scopus was conducted in March 2019 in order to identify the main epidemiological and cross-sectional studies on the topic. Results: Oral diseases are still one of the most common manifestations in HIV-positive pediatric patients, and they often represent the first form in which immunosuppression shows itself. An analysis of the literature shows that candidiasis is the most common oral lesion found in HIV-positive children. A significant incidence of gingivitis and gingival disease is also evident, though not strictly correlated to HIV infection. However, thanks to the introduction of new antiretroviral therapies, the incidence of HIV-related oral lesions is decreasing. Conclusions: An HIV-positive children care program should also include dental protocols, as oral disease negatively influences the quality of life, affecting both functional and social aspects.

Highlights

HIV infection could be defined as the major epidemic of our century, with dramatic human, social and economic implications
The subjects included in the studies could be divided into three groups: The first group of four studies included children aged between 2–6 months and 13–14 years, the second group of five studies included children ages 5–6 and 15–18 years, and a third group included children between 1–2 and 12–17 years
In the studies included in the review, we could observe that access to treatment for HIV-positive children is still difficult: Only in two studies did 100% of children undergo treatment (ART or HAART), this percentage varied between 80% and 90% in two others, and it varied between 50% and 70% in eight studies

Summary

Introduction

HIV infection could be defined as the major epidemic of our century, with dramatic human, social and economic implications. The number of pediatric patients affected by HIV still remains high, mainly in developing countries, where the main cause of infection is vertical transmission from the mother. Objective: The aim of our review was to assess the prevalence of oral hard and soft tissue lesions in HIV-positive pediatric patients by identifying the most common manifestations and the overall impact that they may have on the children’s quality of life. Results: Oral diseases are still one of the most common manifestations in HIV-positive pediatric patients, and they often represent the first form in which immunosuppression shows itself. An analysis of the literature shows that candidiasis is the most common oral lesion found in HIV-positive children. Conclusions: An HIV-positive children care program should include dental protocols, as oral disease negatively influences the quality of life, affecting both functional and social aspects

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