[Initial therapeutic experiences in AIDS in childhood]

The acquired immuno-deficiency-syndrome in children is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The classification of pediatric AIDS follows the recommendation of the C.D.C., Atlanta. We report on three children infected by their HIV-positive mothers. All three mothers were intravenous drugaddicts, one of them already died of AIDS. One child (S.M.) is classified P2-AB, two children (K. C., D. M.) suffering from lymphoid interstitial pneumonia belong to category P2-C. Patient D. M. was treated with prednisolone following the recommendation of Rubinstein. The pulmonary condition improved remarkably. All three patients are being under treatment with oral antimycotics and prophylactically with Cotrimoxacole for pneumocystis pneumonia. Positive experiences in U.S.A. and Europe have encouraged the use of parenteral immunoglobuline-therapy in three of our patients to minimize additional viral or bacterial infections. We report on our first experiences with this therapeutic regimen. The dosage being used is 0.4 g/kg body weight every month.