ABSTRACT
Pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection occurs predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Surgical procedures are frequently undertaken to assist in the diagnosis of an HIV-related pathology or complication. Most of these procedures allow time for preoperative treatment of premorbid conditions and coinfections, and initiation of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Surgical problems associated with HIV infection may be classified into four major categories: soft tissue or organ-specific infections requiring drainage or debridement, GI tract disease and complications, infections in the perineal area, and malignancies. Children with symptomatic HIV infection have an increased incidence of soft tissue infections. GI bleeding, distension, obstruction, perforation with abdominal pain, and tenderness are the most common clinical presentations associated with intra-abdominal diseases in HIV-infected children. HIV-infected children are at higher risk for malignancy than HIV-unexposed children, with tumors representing 2" of AIDS-defining events. Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and cervical cancer are AIDS-defining events.
