Nanan Nur'aeny1, Tisnasari Hafsah2, Anggraini Alam2

Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia

Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia

Abstract

Objective: this study investigated the impact of oral lesions on the length of stay (LOS) for paediatric patients who were diagnosed as having HIV during their hospitalisation.

Method: We conducted a retrospective study using theregistry data of patients identified HIV positive at paediatric ward Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung from September 2015 until April 2019. Incomplete records were excluded. Data were analysed for descriptive statistics and a Mann-Whitney U test was done to determinethe level of association between oral lesions and duration of hospitalisation using IBM SPSS statistic 23.

Results: There were 50 paediatric admissions enrolled in this study. Repeated hospitalisation was observed 6 times in 1 patient, 3 times in 2 patients, and 2 times in 1 patient. Of the total number of hospitalised patients in this study, 33(66%) were female, dominated with HIV stadium IV 38(76%), and severe malnutrition 26(52%), with the most common chief complaint was breathing difficulties 17(34%). Oral lesions occurred in 16(32%) of the hospitalised patients. Median age was 6.7 years (min-max: 2 months-17.4 years) and length of stay was 13 (2-51) days. LOS was significantly longer in patients  with oral lesions symptoms: 32.16 vs 22.37, p=0.027 (Mann-Whitney U test).

Conclusion: Oral lesions may have a significant effect on LOS HIV-Infected children that indicates attention to the patient's mouth is the best care plan.