title: Cluster of differentiation 4+ cell count mean value, reference range and its influencing factors in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-seronegative pregnant women in Lagos.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunity in pregnancy is physiologically compromised and this may affect cluster of differentiation four (CD4) count levels. It is well established that several factors affect CD4 count level in pregnancy. This study aims to determine the effects of maternal age, gestational age, parity and level of education as they influence CD4 count in pregnancy and also to determine the mean and reference range of CD4 count in pregnancy in Lagos, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Ante-natal clinics in Lagos State, Nigeria. About 5 mls of blood was collected into Ethylene Diamine Tetracetic Acid (EDTA) bottles from HIV-negative pregnant women in various gestational ages of pregnancy. CD4+ cell count and full blood count of all samples were done within 3 hours of collection. The descriptive data was given as means ± standard deviation (SD). Pearson's chi-squared test and correlation were used for analytical assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 74 pregnant women were recruited. The age range was 19-41 years and a mean age of 30.42 ± 5.34 years. The CD4+ cell count was not statistically significant when compared with participants ages P = 0.417, neither with gestational ages P = 0.323, nor with parity P = 0.247 nor level of education P = 0.96. An overall mean CD4+ cell count was 771.96 ± 250 cells/μl and the range was 193-1370 cells/μl.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal age, gestational age, parity and level of education had no significant effects on CD4+ cell count levels in pregnancy. The mean CD4+ cell count of HIV-negative pregnant women in Lagos is 771.96 ± 250 cells/μl.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University, College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Akinbami
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University, College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Dosunmu
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adediran
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University, College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adewunmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University, College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rabiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Osunkalu
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Lagos University, Teaching Hospital, Idiaraba, Nigeria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ajibola
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University, College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Uche
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Lagos State University, Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adelekan
keywords: CD4+ cell count; mean value; pregnant women; reference range