Context: Clinical presentation of HIV infected children is different than adults. Disease progression is rapid. About 30% HIV infected children under one year of age die undiagnosed. Clinical scenario is changing with time and with available treatment. Aims: To study the profile of clinical presentation in HIV infected children. Settings and Design: Study was conducted in a government medical college of north India. It was hospital based observational study. Methods and Material: 140 HIV infected children between the age of 18 months to 15 years diagnosed as per guide lines of NACO were included in study. Clinical and immunological staging was done according to WHO staging criteria. Written consent was taken and counselling was done. Statistical Analysis Used: To describe nominal data simple percentages were used. Mean and Standard Deviations were used to describe normally distributed data. Results: Common age of presentation was between five to ten years. Perinatal transmission was the commonest mode of transmission (97.8%). Fever (60.7), Recurrent loose stools (45.7%), Chronic cough (27.8%), Itching and rashes over body (25%) were the common complaints. Anaemia (85%), Lymphadenopathy(59.2%), Skin lesions(47%), Chronic Supporative Otitis Media(12%) were the common clinical findings. Central Nervous System involvement was seen in six and Cardio Vascular System involvement in four children was noted. One child presented with joint involvement and one had Non Hodgekin’s Lymphoma. Conclusions: Vertical transmission was the commonest route of infection in children. Prolong fever, recurrent diarrhoea, frequent respiratory infections associated with under nutrition, anaemia and skin lesions were common clinical presentations. One third children were orphan and they were worst sufferer.

Keywords: Clinical Profile; HIV Infection; Children