GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR AND ERYTHROPOIETIN THERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION

To determine whether granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythro poietin are effective in the therapy of neutropenia and anaemia relate d to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to anti-retrovir al agents, we recruited 11 HIV-infected children (mean age 4 years 10 months). All the children were given granulocyte-colony stimulating fa ctor at a dosage of 5 mu g/kg twice or three times a week while erythr opoietin was administered additionally to three patients at a dosage o f 50 U/kg twice a week. Both agents were administered subcutaneously f or at least 4 months. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts significantly in creased during the treatment (after 1 month, P = 0.003 and P = 0.009, respectively). Erythropoietin prevented blood transfusions and increas ed haemoglobin levels in the three children treated. No side-effects w ere recorded during the administration of either agent. Granulocyte-co lony stimulating factor and erythropoietin appear to be safe and usefu l agents in the management of HIV-infected children.