Document 0151
 DOCN  M9470151
 TI    Markedly reduced mortality associated with corticosteroid therapy of
       Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in children with acquired
       immunodeficiency syndrome.
 DT    9409
 AU    Bye MR; Cairns-Bazarian AM; Ewig JM; Division of Pediatric Pulmonary
       Medicine, Columbia Presbyterian; Medical Center, New York, NY.
 SO    Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994 Jun;148(6):638-41. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/94251314
 AB    BACKGROUND: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is a common opportunistic
       infection in pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
       Mortality rates of 34% have been reported for the acute infection, with
       much higher mortality rates occurring in the presence of respiratory
       failure. Corticosteroids reduce the morbidity and mortality in adults
       with AIDS and P carinii pneumonia. We report herein our experience with
       corticosteroids in P carinii pneumonia in pediatric AIDS. METHODS: When
       the data on adults were published, we began treating our patients with
       corticosteroids. We compared these children (group 1) with those
       children treated in a similar manner, but without corticosteroids (group
       2). RESULTS: The two groups had similar ages, initial serum lactate
       dehydrogenase levels, and initial alveolar-arterial difference in
       partial pressure of oxygen. There was a significant (P < .001) reduction
       in the need for mechanical ventilation and in mortality in the
       corticosteroid-treated group. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroid therapy during
       acute infection with P carinii in young children with AIDS appears to
       significantly reduce morbidity (as measured by the need for mechanical
       ventilation) and mortality.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS  Case Report  Child
       Child, Preschool  Human  Injections, Intravenous  Methylprednisolone
       Hemisuccinate/ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE/  *THERAPEUTIC USE  Pneumonia,
       Pneumocystis carinii/*DRUG THERAPY/*MORTALITY  Prednisone/ADMINISTRATION
       & DOSAGE/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Survival Rate  Treatment Outcome  JOURNAL
       ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).