Adaptive behavior of children with symptomatic HIV infection before and after zidovudine therapy

Assessed longitudinally the effects of HIV infection and zidovudine on the adaptive behavior of 25 children with symptomatic disease (M age = 5.3 years; range = 1-12; 52% classified as encephalopathic) by parent report using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Patients also were evaluated with an age-appropriate intelligence test and Q-sort Behavioral Rating Scale. Before treatment, encephalopathic children exhibited greater impairments in adaptive behavior than those without encephalopathy. After 6 months of zidovudine, all behavioral domains (communication, daily living, socialization) except for motor skills showed overall significant improvement. Children with or without encephalopathy showed a similar degree of change. Improvements in adaptive behavior correlated with increases in cognitive ability and decreases in severity of aberrant social-emotional behavior.