Oral health of children and adolescents infected with human immunodeficiency virus and impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on quality of life

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is global pandemic disease with progression of HIV infection to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) varying considerably among individuals, it is faster and more severe in children, due to the immaturity of the immune system. It may lead to various oral manifestations thus compromising nutrition and oral health of patients. Due to increasing frequency of pediatric HIV infection, all dental health-care providers should familiarize themselves with the early diagnosis of pathological conditions of the oral cavity and recommend management strategies for the treatment of such children. With the introduction of successful highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), oral health-care providers are now more likely to encounter children and adolescents who live longer with HIV/AIDS. This review would discuss the role of oral health-care provider in management of HIV infection especially in children and adolescents and would also highlight the effect of HAART on the quality of life on pediatric patients.

Keywords

• Adolescents
• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• children
• human immunodefi ciency virus infection
• oral health