A Multicenter Trial To Evaluate Oral Retrovir in the Treatment of Children With Symptomatic HIV Infection

To evaluate the safety and tolerance of oral zidovudine (AZT) when given over a period of 24 weeks to children between 3 months and 12 years of age. The effectiveness of AZT in treating HIV infection in infants and children will also be evaluated. HIV infection in children is most often associated with symptomatic disease and poor prognosis. Treatment with antiviral therapy may be effective in altering the course of the disease and decreasing mortality in these children. AZT has been shown to be effective in certain adult patients with symptomatic HIV infection. It is therefore likely that infected children may also benefit from this treatment. HIV infection in children is most often associated with symptomatic disease and poor prognosis. Treatment with antiviral therapy may be effective in altering the course of the disease and decreasing mortality in these children. AZT has been shown to be effective in certain adult patients with symptomatic HIV infection. It is therefore likely that infected children may also benefit from this treatment. The participants receive AZT mixed with juice at a dose dependent on body size every 6 hours for 24 weeks. The children are evaluated weekly for the first 4 weeks, every two weeks for the subsequent 8 weeks, and monthly thereafter. Blood samples are collected periodically and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by lumbar puncture on 2 occasions.