Document 1112
 DOCN  M94A1112
 TI    Zidovudine in a low-dose schedule in infected children: a Brazilian
       experience.
 DT    9412
 AU    Marques HH; Aquino MZ; Kamikawa J; Hamamoto LA; Jacob CM; Pastorino AC;
       Grumach AS; Dept. Pediatrics, Univ. Sao Paulo, Brazil.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):206 (abstract no. PB0838). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371463
 AB    In the absence of specific data for dosage schedule of zidovudine (ZDV)
       for HIV infected children in 1990, the authors designed a protocol with
       a dosage of 100 mg/m2/dose administered orally every 6 hours. METHODS:
       Forty four HIV infected children followed by the Children's Institute
       were studied. Antiretroviral therapy was indicated for children for whom
       a definitive diagnosis of HIV infection has been established and who
       have evidence of significant immunodeficiency or HIV-associated
       symptoms. The management plan and monitoring schedule included: a)
       clinical monitorization monthly b) complete blood count every two-weeks
       in the first three months and then every four-weeks c) immunological
       evaluation every three months, CD4 absolute count, CD4/CD8 ratio and
       beta 2 microglobulins. RESULTS: The mean age was 3.5 years (median 2.4
       years; range 2 months to 14 years). The time of follow-up varied between
       one month to 3.2 years. Seven children had a poor compliance and were
       excluded of the evaluation. ZDV therapy was associated with weigth gain
       in 75% of the studied children during the first 12 months of treatment.
       It wasn't possible to make an accurate evaluation of immunological
       parameters because this high cost precluded sistematic analysis of CD4
       counts and beta 2 microglobulin so only 50% of the patients had this
       data. The CD4 absolute count and/or CD4/CD8 ration was stable or
       elevated in 80% of the cases until 12 months of therapy, and during the
       follow-up almost 70% of the cases had persistent redution of beta 2
       microglobulin. Adverse effects, mainly mielotoxicity was identified in
       36% of the patients. Four of the cases died during the follow-up and in
       foutheen it was necessary modification. CONCLUSIONS: The authors are
       ascertained that ZDV therapy in this dosage-schedule can improve the
       quality and duration of life for HIV-infected children.
 DE    Adolescence  Child  Child, Preschool  Human  HIV Infections/*DRUG
       THERAPY  Infant  Zidovudine/*ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE/ADVERSE
       EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC  USE  MEETING ABSTRACT

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