Regression of HIV-associated progressive encephalopathy of childhood during HAART

HIV-associated progressive encephalopathy of childhood is characterized by impaired brain growth, decline in cognitive and neurobehavioral performance s, and progressive motoric dysfunction The diagnosis is based on neurologic al examination, neuropsychological assessment and cerebral CT or MR imaging . While the importance of early use of antiretroviral combination therapy h as been emphasized, limited data exist as to the effect of protease inhibit ors in children with HIV-associated encephalopathy. We describe the effect of 3-drug antiretroviral combination therapy, including the protease inhibi tor nelfinavir, in a 7-y-old girl with vertically acquired HIV infection an d late onset progressive encephalopathy.