title: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin therapy in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection.
abstract: To determine whether granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin are effective in the therapy of neutropenia and anaemia related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to anti-retroviral agents, we recruited 11 HIV-infected children (mean age 4 years 10 months). All the children were given granulocyte-colony stimulating factor at a dosage of 5 micrograms/kg twice or three times a week while erythropoietin was administered additionally to three patients at a dosage of 50 U/kg twice a week. Both agents were administered subcutaneously for at least 4 months. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts significantly increased during the treatment (after 1 months, P = 0.003 and P = 0.009, respectively). Erythropoietin prevented blood transfusions and increased haemoglobin levels in the three children treated. No side-effects were recorded during the administration of either agent. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin appear to be safe and useful agents in the management of HIV-infected children.
authors.affiliation: 5th Paediatric Department, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Zuccotti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plebani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biasucci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici-Schoeller
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Banderali
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Decarlis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Startari
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Riva
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004921:Erythropoietin; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D015215:Zidovudine