Predictors of trends were similar for absolute and percentage CD4+ T-lymphocytes in HIV-infected children in Ghana

Percentage CD4+ T-lymphocyte is used for immunologic monitoring human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infections in children. Given the relative ease of obtaining absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte, we sought to investigate whether the predictors of the trends in absolute and percentage CD4+ T-lymphocytes in HIV-infected children in resource-limited setting were similar. A retrospective analysis of CD4+ T-lymphocytes data from June, 2004 to December, 2007 of the Pediatric HIV cohort at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Mixed models were used to examine predictors of the trends in absolute and percentage CD4+ T-lymphocytes. Absolute and percentage CD4+ T-lymphocytes increased over time (p < 0.001). Baseline absolute and percentage values correlated with subsequent values (p < 0.001). Gender, age, treatment, World Health Organization clinical staging, and the source of patient referral to the clinic did not predict the changes in CD4+ T-lymphocytes. The predictors of the trends in absolute and percentage CD4+ T-lymphocytes were similar. Studies are needed to examine whether absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts could be used to monitor pediatric HIV in resource-limited settings.