To evaluate and compare differences in tolerance and side effects associated with two different dosages of zidovudine (AZT) when used to treat children with HIV infection. Other goals are to evaluate and compare the degree of change in neurodevelopmental disease and determine whether there are differences in the rate and degree of toxicities associated with one versus the other dosage.

AZT has been shown to decrease the death rate and frequency of opportunistic infections in certain adult patients with symptomatic HIV infection. Thus, it is likely that symptomatic HIV infected children may also benefit from AZT. Studies of the safety and pharmacokinetics (blood levels) in children have indicated that AZT can be given to children in doses that can be tolerated and that can be assumed to be therapeutic. Those currently taking care of infected children no longer feel it is ethical to conduct an AZT/placebo (inactive substance) trial. In addition, given the information learned from studies of adult patients that shows effectiveness of AZT at lower doses, experience with an equivalent lower dose in children needs to be studied.

AZT has been shown to decrease the death rate and frequency of opportunistic infections in certain adult patients with symptomatic HIV infection. Thus, it is likely that symptomatic HIV infected children may also benefit from AZT. Studies of the safety and pharmacokinetics (blood levels) in children have indicated that AZT can be given to children in doses that can be tolerated and that can be assumed to be therapeutic. Those currently taking care of infected children no longer feel it is ethical to conduct an AZT/placebo (inactive substance) trial. In addition, given the information learned from studies of adult patients that shows effectiveness of AZT at lower doses, experience with an equivalent lower dose in children needs to be studied.

All participants are randomized to receive AZT at 1 of 2 doses. Patients are stratified according to whether CD4 cell counts are > or < 500 cells/mm3 as well as whether symptoms are mild to moderate or if patients have lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP). Medication is dispensed every other week for the first 8 weeks and monthly until week 104, then either monthly or every 3 months. Safety and effectiveness of the treatment program are evaluated at 6-month intervals to assess whether it is appropriate to continue the study as originally designed. Patients are evaluated every 2 weeks for the first 8 weeks, monthly until week 104, every 3 months until week 208, and then every 6 months thereafter.

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

AMENDED:

• 03-19-91 Prophylaxis for PCP is recommended according to current practice guidelines. As per published recommendations, primary prophylaxis with TMP / SMX on a M-T-W basis is encouraged.

Allowed:

• Immunoglobulin therapy as single dose exposure prophylaxis or for children with hypogammaglobulinemia.
• Trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (TMP / SMX) and parenteral or aerosolized pentamidine for prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia for children with AIDS and/or CD4+ counts = or < 500 cells/mm3.
• Systemic ketoconazole and acyclovir, or oral nystatin for acute therapy.
• Aerosol ribavirin for short-term treatment of acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

AMENDED:

• 9/17/90 enrollment is limited to children < 6 years of age.
• Original design:
• Patients must have the following:
• Parent or guardian available to give written informed consent.
• Laboratory evidence of HIV infection.
• Children < 15 months of age, with CD4+ cell count > 500 cells/mm3, who are thought to have acquired HIV through perinatal transmission and whose only laboratory evidence of HIV infection is a positive antibody test, must also have one or more of the laboratory criteria described in Disease Status AND one or more of the disease criteria that are required of children > 15 months old with CD4+ cell counts > 500 cells/mm3.

Prior Medication:

Allowed:

• Aerosol ribavirin.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following conditions or symptoms are excluded:

Previous AIDS-defining opportunistic infection or neoplasms as specified by the CDC surveillance criteria for AIDS.

• Previous unexplained recurrent, serious bacterial infections (two or more within a 2-year period) including sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, abscess of an internal organ, and bone/joint infections caused by Haemophilus, Streptococcus, or other pyogenic bacteria.
• Qualifying for entrance criteria to zidovudine (AZT) + or - gammaglobulin (ACTG 051).
• Encephalopathy.
• Failure to thrive (defined as a child who crosses two percentile lines on the growth chart or child who is < fifth percentile and does not follow curve) and/or oral candidiasis for at least 2 months despite appropriate topical therapy.
• Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) with steroid dependency or requiring supplemental oxygen.
• Preexisting malignancies.

Concurrent Medication:

AMENDED:

• 03-19-91 Prophylaxis with antiviral or antifungals agents, except for PCP prophylaxis is prohibited.
• Drugs that are metabolized by hepatic glucuronidation should be used with caution.

Excluded:

• Prophylaxis for oral candidiasis or otitis media or other infections (sinusitis, urinary tract infections).
• Immunoglobulin therapy not specifically allowed.
• Ketoconazole, acyclovir, or nystatin for prophylaxis.
• Drugs that are metabolized by hepatic glucuronidation and might alter metabolism of zidovudine (AZT).

Patients with the following are excluded:

• Previous AIDS-defining opportunistic infection or neoplasms as specified by the CDC surveillance criteria for AIDS.
• Previous unexplained recurrent, serious bacterial infections (two or more within a 2-year period) including sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, abscess of an internal organ, and bone/joint infections caused by Haemophilus, Streptococcus, or other pyogenic bacteria.
• Qualifying for entrance criteria to zidovudine (AZT) + or - gammaglobulin (ACTG 051).
• Encephalopathy.
• Failure to thrive (defined as a child who crosses two percentile lines on the growth chart or child who is < fifth percentile and does not follow curve) and/or oral candidiasis for at least 2 months despite appropriate topical therapy.
• Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) with steroid dependency or requiring supplemental oxygen.
• Preexisting malignancies.

Prior Medication:

Excluded within 2 weeks of study entry:

• Any other experimental therapy or drugs that cause prolonged neutropenia or significant nephrotoxicity.

Excluded within 1 month of study entry:

• Antiretroviral agents.
• Immunomodulating agents including immunoglobulin, interferon, isoprinosine, and IL-2.

Excluded within 2 months of study entry:

• Systemic ribavirin for retroviral therapy.

Prior Treatment:

Excluded within 1 month of study entry:

• Lymphocyte or red blood cell transfusions.

Active alcohol or drug abuse.