Ocular manifestations in children with HIV infection in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

A study of ocular lesions among 62 HIV seropositive and 47 HIV seronegative children admitted to the paediatric ward of Muhimbili Medical Centre was conducted. The prevalence of ocular manifestations was 38 per cent among the HIV seropositive children and 25 per cent among HIV seronegative children. While conjunctival lesions were common in both groups, fundus and corneal lesions were more common in HIV seropositive children. The common lesions were macular oedema, haemorrhages and sheathing of retinal vessels. In addition, HIV seropositive children had a 10 per cent prevalence of abnormal visual acuity compared with HIV seronegative children who had a 6 per cent prevalence. This study showed that ocular manifestations of HIV is high in African children and can be confounded by nutritional status. The commonest non-ocular manifestation was pulmonary tuberculosis and malnutrition. Children with HIV infection should have an ocular examination.