Cytomegalovirus retinitis in an infant with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

A case of cytomegalovirus retinitis in an infant with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is described. Although well recognized as an ocular manifestation of AIDS in adults, only one case of the necrotic retinitis caused by cytomegalovirus has been described in a child with AIDS. Intravenous treatment with ganciclovir resulted in substantial ocular improvement, despite the advanced nature of the disease in one eye in which there was also secondary neovascular glaucoma. Home maintenance treatment was used via Broviac catheter. The patient later died following pulmonary infection with Pneumocystis carinii.