Comparison of Two Dosage Regimens of Oral Dapsone for Prophylaxis of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia in Pediatric HIV Infection

Primary: To compare the toxicity of daily versus weekly dapsone in HIV-infected infants and children; to study the pharmacokinetics of orally administered dapsone in HIV-infected infants and children. Secondary: To obtain information on the rate of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia ( PCP ) breakthrough in children receiving two different dose regimens of dapsone. Prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia ( PCP ) is recommended for all HIV-infected children considered to be at high risk. Approximately 15 percent of children are intolerant to trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole, the first choice drug for PCP prophylaxis. Since many children are also unable to take or tolerate aerosolized pentamidine, dapsone is a second choice for PCP prophylaxis. The most favorable dose regimen for dapsone has not been established.