TITLE:
Skin Manifestations of HIV Infection in Children in Pediatric Services of Conakry University Hospital (Guinea)
AUTHORS:
M. M. Soumah, M. A. Bangoura, M. Keïta, T. M. Tounkara, B. F. Diané, D. Sylla, H. Baldé, F. B. Sako, F. Keïta, M. Cissé
KEYWORDS:
Skin Manifestations, HIV Infection, Children, Epidemiology, Paediatry
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications,
Vol.8 No.2,
April
26,
2018
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Dermatological manifestations during HIV infection
play a diagnostic and prognostic role. They are observed in 83% - 98% of
patients at the late stage of AIDS and 58% - 75% at
an early stage of AIDS. The objective of this study was to determine the
prevalence of skin diseases in HIV in children, describes the
demographic profile and identify key dermatoses. Material and methods: This
was a prospective study of descriptive kind conducted from August 25, 2009 to
February 25, 2010. It involved children infected with HIV followed in pediatric
services at the University Hospital of Conakry. All children were examined by
an experienced dermatologist. The diagnosis of dermatosis was made according to
the clinical signs. The stages of HIV infection were determined according to
the WHO classification. Each child received retroviral
serology rapid tests according to national algorithm. Results: Among
119 HIV-positive children 65 showed mucocutaneous manifestations, there are 34
girls and 31 boys, all HIV-1 infected with 66.16% in stage III disease. The
average age was 7 years, ranging from 11 months to 15 years. 66.15% of the
children were from married mothers and more than half of the mothers were
illiterate. They were all positive for HIV1. Oral candidiasis (38.46%), prurigo
(29.23%) and molluscum contagiosum (7.69%) were the most common skin diseases;
52.31% had at least two associated dermatoses. The candidiasis-prurigo
combination (26.47%) was the most common. Dermatosis was often associated with
other conditions: malaria (30.76%), pulmonary tuberculosis (25.61%) and
malnutrition (12.30%). Discussion: With 65 cases diagnosed in six months our study
shows that skin diseases are common in HIV among children in Guinea. The
prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics are close to those reported by
sub saharian and North African authors. A special feature of the study is that
most mothers are illiterate and are infected with HIV, which would have favored
the contamination of these children. Conclusion: In Sub-Saharan Africa where the rate of pediatric
HIV infection is increasing, it is important to identify the mucocutaneous manifestations
for optimal care.