There are currently eight HIV antiviral drugs available for pediatric use, including newcomer Ziagen , available through a broadened expanded-access program. Adherence to drug regimens is needed to offset HIV resistance but poses a special problem for infants who depend on others to administer medicine. For now, the use of oral HIV formulas to treat infants poses a barrier, since they are hard to administer and tolerate, and drug absorption is affected by food. Education of parents, caregivers, and children is needed to stress the importance of compliance with drug regimens and should be reinforced at every visit with the doctor. But caregivers must first address real-life barriers to adherence such as homelessness and poverty.
Children develop side effects and drug toxicities at different frequencies than adults.
Crixivan may cause an increase in indirect bilirubin in newborns and infants and must be monitored. Indinavir can cause kidney stones, but it's harder to make sure infants get enough daily water to reduce this risk. AZT may cause pediatric anemia. At birth, one to two months, six to 18 months. If mother is HBsAG positive, infant should receive hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine.