[Results of zidovudine treatment of 9 vertically HIV infected children].

BACKGROUND AND 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.