[Results of zidovudine treatment of 9 vertically HIV infected children].
METHODS
Zidovudine has been shown to be an effective antiretroviral drug in the treatment of AIDS, AIDS-related complex and also symptomatic or asymptomatic HIV infection in adults. First studies concerning zidovudine therapy in children are now available. Since 1987 we take care of HIV-infected and -exposed children at our clinic in a multicenter study. In this report we present data of a 12 months treatment period with zidovudine of 9 perinatally infected children. At enrollment the children's age ranged from 5 months to 6.8 years. The drug was given orally as capsules or syrup at a dose of 10-17 mg/kg/d every 6-8 hours.


RESULTS
Zidovudine was well tolerated. Only in one case we had to reduce the dosage for a longer period of time because of hematologic abnormalities. There were no other side effects. During the study 2 patients died before the scheduled treatment regimen could be completed. In 5 children we saw a clinical improvement like weight gain, decreased hepato- and/or splenomegaly, decreased lymphadenopathy and improvement in neurologic abnormalities. The CD4+ lymphocyte counts showed a transient increase. The in vitro mitogen induced proliferation also showed a transient improvement during the first months of treatment. The p24-antigen was detected in 7/9 children. No significant changes were observed over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Zidovudine can be administered safety to children with HIV infection. It is well tolerated at a dose of 10-17 mg/kg/d given every 6-8 hours. In some children clinical improvement can be observed. The immunologic and virologic improvements are only transient.
Berkefeld
I
I
Universitäts-Kinderklinik Düsseldorf.
Fuchs
A
A
Wahn
V
V
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D015215:Zidovudine
Ergebnisse der Zidovudinbehandlung bei 9 vertikal HIV-infizierten Kindern.