title: CD4 cell count criteria to determine when to initiate antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.
abstract: We evaluated the validity of CD4 count against CD4% criteria of 2008 World Health Organization guideline for initiating antiretroviral therapy using the data of 446 human immunodeficiency virus-infected Asian children aged 1 to 12 years who were screened to the Pediatric Randomized of Early versus Deferred Initiation in Cambodia and Thailand study. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 34% and 98%, respectively. Using the current CD4 count criteria would globally result in 66% missed opportunity to initiate treatment in a timely fashion. Raising CD4 count thresholds should be considered to increase its sensitivity and reduce missed opportunity.
authors.affiliation: Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute, Nonthaburi, Thailand. juraiw@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jurai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wongsawat
authors.forename: Thanyawee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Puthanakit
authors.forename: Suparat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanjanavanit
authors.forename: Rawiwan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hansudewechakul
authors.forename: Chaiwat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ngampiyaskul
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Sasiwimol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ubolyam
authors.forename: Tulathip
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suwanlerk
authors.forename: Pope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kosalaraksa
authors.forename: Wicharn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luesomboon
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ngo-Giang-Huong
authors.forename: Mom
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chandara
authors.forename: Vonthanak
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saphonn
authors.forename: Kiat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ruxrungtham
authors.forename: Jintanat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ananworanich
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002160:Cambodia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents