DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES IN CHILDREN WITH ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROM |[lpar]|AIDS|[rpar]|

An AIDS-like disease in infants was first described in 1982, with 2 types of clinical pictures reported: a full-blown syndrome and a prodromal stage. Some adults with AIDS have a progressive encephalopathy and suble cognitive changes. A study was initiated to determine whether 6 AIDS children, ages 10 mos. to 6 yrs. exhibited developmental abnormalities. Four children were hospitalized and 2 were examined in the OPD. Five had the full syndrome and 1 the prodrome. Parents used IV drugs in 5 cases, and in 2 cases mothers died of AIDS. Two children were siblings. Neurodevelopmental and psychological examinations were given using Bayley Scales for children < 30 months and the Stanford-Binet for older children. The 4 inpatients had microcephaly and failure-to-thrive; 3 had spasticity, 1 had seizures, and 1 regressed. All 4 scored < 50 on the Bayley. The 2 outpatients, each over 5 yrs., had IQs of 67 and 71, and scored well below normal on language tests. Therefore, all subjects were retarded. Whether this is due to AIDS itself or other factors is uncertain. A larger number of AIDS children and a comparison group of offspring of drug-addicted mothers without AIDS are being studied to clarify the etiology of the developmental abnormalities.