AIDS in children is a multisystem disease. The various infections, degenerative, proliferative and vascular lesions can be classified into three categories based on the known, presumed or undetermined pathogenesis. The primary lesions are due to HIV infection. The associated lesions are related to direct or indirect sequelae of HIV infection or its treatment. The third category is of lesions of undetermined pathogenesis. The pediatric pathologist plays an important role in the study and management of AIDS by demonstrating new pathologic lesions, by making the etiologic diagnosis of infection in children with AIDS, and by providing clinicopathologic correlation which leads to better understanding of the disease process and its natural history. Diagnosis of neoplastic disorders is also made by the pathologist. There is a dearth of systematic pathologic study of AIDS in children in developing countries. Although no basic differences between pathologic lesions in pediatric AIDS in Western countries, and in developing countries is expected, such a study would lead to better understanding and better management of the disorder as it affects children from the developing countries.
PIP: AIDS in children is a multisystem disease with primary lesions due to HIV infection, associated lesions related to the direct or indirect sequelae of HIV infection or its treatment, and other lesions of undetermined pathogenesis. The pediatric pathologist plays an important role in the study and management of AIDS by demonstrating new pathologic lesions, by making the etiologic diagnosis of infection in children with AIDS, and by providing clinicopathologic correlation leading to a better understanding of the disease process and its natural history. The diagnosis of neoplastic disorders is also made by the pathologist. Few studies have been conducted in developing countries which systematically examine the pathology of AIDS in children. Although no difference is expected between the pathological lesions observed in the West and those in developing countries, a study would nonetheless improve the understanding and management of the disorder as it affects children from developing countries.