Ophthalmic manifestations in paediatric HIV positive patients in India

International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs, & STIs

October 24-25, 2013 Holiday Inn Orlando International Airport, Orlando, FL, USA

Aastha Singh

Accepted Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

I ndia has 2.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS, 3.5% of which are children according to National AIDS Control Organization, India, estimates. HIV can affect any part of the eye leading to blindness. Our study is the pioneer in studying the prevalence of ophthalmic findings in such children. Ninety HIV positive children, upto 15 years of age were enrolled in the study between November 2010 to March 2012. Those with concurrent congenital, post traumatic or CNS malformation related ophthalmic abnormalities were excluded. Refraction under dilatation and a detailed ophthalmic examination of both anterior and posterior segments was done. Ophthalmic manifestations were categorized as external and retinal, their prevalence were calculated and stratification on the basis of immune status was done and compared. Patients with ophthalmological problems were appropriately managed and followed up. 14 children (15.6 %) had ophthalmic findings. Retinal findings were present in 3 patients (3.3 %). One case each of isolated cotton wool spots, peripheral healed retinochoroiditis and healed macular toxoplasmosis were found. No cases of CMV retinitis were noted. 11 children (12.2%) had external findings such as staphylococcal blepharitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, seborrhoeic blepharitis, allergic conjunctivitis, molluscum contagiosum, conjunctival phlycten, bilateral preseptal celluitis, external hordoleum and bitot spots. 22 children (24.4 %) had refractive error (19: myopia, 3: myopic astigmatism). I conclude that with the advent of ART, the incidence of CMV retinitis is on a decline. Staphylococcal aureus was the only organism isolated on culture in infective cases. None of the patients had any ART related ophthalmic side effects

Biography :

Aastha Singh, 29 years, has completed both her MBBS and M.S. ( Ophthalmology) from the prestigious Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi University, India. She has worked extensively at the Kalawati Saran Children?s Hospital, New Delhi, India which is one of the largest and busiest Children?s hospital in Asia and at its Antiretroviral Treatment Centre of national and international repute set up in association with Clinton foundatio