Radiologic features of lung diseases in HIV infection in children

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of respiratory involvement in HIV-infected children, along with the radiological manifestations of the various HIV-related diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 65 HIV-infected children (63 vertically-infected and 2 through blood transfusion) has been carried out. The mean time of follow-up since the diagnosis of HIV infection was 32 +/- 27 months, beginning January 1987. Patients have been classified into 5 categories: Pneumocystis carinii (PC) pneumonia, lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis (LIP), lobar pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and a miscellaneous group. Plain chest radiographies were performed according to clinical criteria and at least every 6 months in asymptomatic patients. Diagnosis into categories was based upon chest X-ray findings, along with several etiological diagnostic criteria depending on the category. RESULTS: Respiratory involvement occurred in 32 children (49%). The most common diseases were PC pneumonia in 7 patients, LIP in 8 children, and lobar pneumonia and acute respiratory distress in 6 and 7 cases, respectively. PC pneumonia in children younger than one year had a good clinical and radiological correlation. LIP diagnosis has been based only on radiological criteria with the typical pattern. We want to highlight the disappearance of the radiological findings in 3 cases over time. Interestingly, several patients had other etiologic diagnosis, such as S. pneumoniae pneumonia, miliary tuberculosis, and two patients had acute respiratory distress, one caused by adenovirus and the other by enterovirus. CONCLUSION: Respiratory involvement is common in HIV-infected children. Clinical and radiological manifestations are variable. Plain chest radiography plays a very important role in the management and follow-up of these patients.