Prevalence of dental caries and its correlation with the immunologic profile in HIV-Infected children on antiretroviral therapy

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ABSTRACT

Aim

To describe the prevalence of dental caries in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy. METHODS One
hundred and four HIV positive children on antiretroviral therapy, two to fourteen year old children of both sexes were
examined for dental caries. Children were divided into three groups based on the dentition: primary, mixed and permanent.
They were also grouped depending on their absolute CD4 count and CD4 percentage into mild, advanced and severe
stages.

Results

The primary dentition group had a mean deft of 5.075.29 and a caries prevalence of
58.62; in the mixed dentition group the mean deft was 3.813.41 and the mean DMFT was 1.402.03
with caries prevalence of 86.20. In the permanent dentition group the mean DMFT was 3.002.37 with a
caries prevalence of 76.47.

Conclusion

Prevalence of dental caries was high in HIV-infected children in
advanced CD4 count group. A decrease in the absolute lymphocyte count was associated with an increase in dental caries
prevalence.

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