[Digestive pathology in children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in Santiago de Chile].

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemiology has changed, affecting an increasing number of children. As in adults, the disease predominantly affects the digestive and respiratory systems.

AIM: To report the gastrointestinal problems in HIV infected pediatric patients.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Twenty four HIV infected children (nine male, aged 1 to 12 years old, followed for 1 to 170 months), are reported. This group has been under care by a multiprofessional team.

RESULTS

Oral candidiasis was present in 21 (88%), esophagic candidiasis in 3 (13%), oral ulcers in 4 (17%). Diarrhea was observed in 18 children (75%) and in eight, it had a chronic evolution. Cryptosporidium parvum was the most frequent agent found in six cases (1 with acute and 5 with chronic diarrhea). Schlerosing cholangiopathy was observed in one case, with a fatal outcome, in association to microsporidiosis. Upper endoscopy was done in 11 patients, demonstrating microscopic inflammatory changes in esophagic, gastric and duodenal epithelia in all.

CONCLUSIONS

Digestive problems are common in HIV infected pediatric patients. They must be always sought actively. Endoscopy is a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of these problems.