A Study of Dideoxyinosine (ddI) in HIV-Infected Children Who Have Not Had Success With Zidovudine or Who Cannot Take Zidovudine

To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerance of two doses of didanosine (ddI) in the treatment of children with symptomatic HIV disease who have had to discontinue zidovudine (AZT) because of intolerance and/or who have experienced progressive disease while on AZT. The progression of immunodeficiency due to HIV infection can be delayed by using AZT. The benefits of AZT in adults with AIDS and severe AIDS-related complex (ARC) appear to last for approximately 12 to 18 months, at which time most patients have progressive deterioration. Recently published literature has described a reduced sensitivity of HIV isolated from patients after prolonged AZT treatment. Although the clinical significance of this is unclear, it makes the development of new antiretroviral drugs important.