Skin diseases in human immunodeficiency virus positive children from Santiago, Chile Manifestaciones cutáneas de la infección por virus de inmunodefíciencia humana en niños de Santiago de Chile

Abstract

Children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may develop severe, refractory mucocutaneous manifestations that may be the initiating symptom of HIV infection. In this study we examined the skin of all HIV positive children receiving medical care in the public health care system in Santiago, Chile,. We detected mucocutaneous manifestations in 37/66 (56%) children from 7 months to 12 years of age. The most commonly encountered dermatologic manifestations were of infectious origin, mostly fungal (7.5%) and viral (7.5%) infections. With the increase in pediatric HIV patients worldwide, it is important to recognize skin manifestations of HIV positive children. This is the first published series of skin diseases in HIV positive children in Chile.