Ocular manifestations in pediatric patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
P. J. Dennehy, R. Warman, J. T. Flynn, G. B. Scott and M. T. Mastrucci
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Detroit, Mich.
Forty pediatric patients seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus
antibody and conforming to Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga, case
definition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome underwent ophthalmic
examinations to evaluate prospectively the incidence, type, and natural
history of ocular involvement in pediatric acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome. A total of 87 examinations were performed on the patient
population throughout the course of the study. Twenty percent had ocular
findings, including two cases of cytomegalovirus retinitis, one case of
isolated retinal cotton-wool spots, one case of toxoplasmosis
retinochoroiditis, and three cases of external infections of adnexal
structures. One patient had unusual peripheral retinal findings. The
incidence of ocular manifestations in pediatric acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome is considerably less than reported in several adult series.
However, we recommend ophthalmic screening in all pediatric patients with
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with encephalopathy or disseminated
opportunistic infections, or when symptoms suggest ophthalmic involvement.
