LEVODOPA THERAPY IMPROVES MOTOR FUNCTION IN HIV-INFECTED CHILDREN WITH EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SYNDROMES

Five children with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infecti on, aged 4 to 13 years, manifested extrapyramidal dysfunction characte rized by rigidity/stiffness, ambulation difficulties/shuffling gait, d ysarthria/drooling/swallowing dysfunction, hypomimetic/inexpressive fa cies, and bradykinesia. Levodopa therapy caused an initial improvement in all symptoms, and the effect was sustained in most patients. Levod opa is a useful adjunctive therapy in HIV-1-infected children with ext rapyramidal syndromes, by enhancing motor function and improving their quality of life.