Therapy of pediatric AIDS.

Therapy of pediatric AIDS utilizes antiretroviral compounds; antibiotic, antifungal, and antiparasitic agents; and both active and passive immunization in a multifactorial approach. Currently, newly diagnosed pediatric AIDS cases are acquired predominantly through vertical transmission from HIV-infected mothers. Pediatric AIDS research is focused on strategies to prevent vertical transmission of HIV infection as well as therapy against opportunistic and progressive HIV disease. Zidovudine remains first-choice therapy for HIV infection and can reduce the rate of vertical transmission of HIV. Didanosine is also approved to treat HIV infection in pediatric AIDS. Other reverse transcriptase inhibitors are under investigation as alternative or combination therapies because of HIV resistance to zidovudine and didanosine. Alternative therapies for opportunistic infections are being investigated. Passive immunity with intravenous immunoglobulin is being reevaluated to determine efficacy in combination with other therapies. Finally, vaccination against usual childhood diseases with standard immunization schedules produces limited immunity, and alternative vaccination protocols warrant further investigation.