Philip A. Pizzo, M.D.
Publication Details
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Adaptive behavior of children with symptomatic HIV infection before and after zidovudine therapy.
J Pediatr Psychol. 1994; (1): 47-61
Assessed longitudinally the effects of HIV infection and zidovudine on the adaptive behavior of 25 children with symptomatic disease (M age = 5.3 years; range = 1-12; 52% classified as encephalopathic) by parent report using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Patients also were evaluated with an age-appropriate intelligence test and Q-sort Behavioral Rating Scale. Before treatment, encephalopathic children exhibited greater impairments in adaptive behavior than those without encephalopathy. After 6 months of zidovudine, all behavioral domains (communication, daily living, socialization) except for motor skills showed overall significant improvement. Children with or without encephalopathy showed a similar degree of change. Improvements in adaptive behavior correlated with increases in cognitive ability and decreases in severity of aberrant social-emotional behavior.

