The Safety and Effectiveness of Zidovudine in the Treatment of HIV-Infected Children With Mild to Moderate Symptoms

To determine the safety and usefulness of zidovudine (AZT) for the treatment of children 3 months to 12 years of age. This study is designed to determine if children who are infected with HIV and who have a special type of lung disease called lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) or other early symptoms of HIV infection may derive benefit from treatment with AZT. It is hoped that this drug will prevent children from developing additional symptoms and infections and will help resolve already existing symptoms. AZT has been shown in the laboratory to inhibit the infection of cells by HIV. AZT has been shown to decrease the mortality and the frequency of opportunistic infections in certain adult patients with symptomatic HIV infection. It is, therefore, likely that symptomatic HIV-infected children may also benefit from specific antiviral therapy.