Muco-Cutaneous Infections in HIV Infected Children at a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Studies on mucous infections in HIV infected children are sparse. Cutaneous infections though common, vary in pattern and prevalence over time and location.

OBJECTIVES

To provide updates on the prevalence and pattern of muco-cutaneous infections among HIV infected children attending a Nigerian tertiary hospital and identify neglected muco-cutaneous infections.

METHODS

Consecutive HIV infected children seen over a 5-year period were studied. Relevant information on the subjects, HIV and presence or absence of skin infections was obtained. Data was analysed with SPSS version 16 software.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-two children were studied with ages ranging between 3 months and 17 years of which 68(51.5%) were boys and 64(48.5%) girls. Of the 132 children 64(48.5%) had muco-cutaneous infections, comprising 50(78.1%) cutaneous and 14(21.9%) mucous infections. Superficial fungal, viral, bacterial and parasitic infections were recorded in 45(34.1%), 18(26.6%), 12(9.1%) children and 1 (0.8%) child respectively. Thirty-six (56.2%) of the 64 children with muco-cutaneous infection were unaware of their skin infection prior to consultation. The rates of skin infection were significantly higher amongst children with advanced HIV disease, children whose caregivers had skin disease and children whose parents had no formal education and educational attainments limited to the primary school.(p< 0.05). Presence of phlyctenular conjunctivitis in a child with hitherto undiagnosed tuberculosis was recorded.

CONCLUSION

Muco-cutaneous infections are common disease conditions of HIV infected children. Awareness of muco cutaneous infections amongst those infected is poor. Interventions mitigating associated factors are expected to reduce the burden of this disease.