Factors influencing CD4 cell count in HIV-positive pregnant women in a secondary health center in Lagos, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Immunity in pregnancy is physiologically compromised, and this may affect CD4 count levels. It is well-established that several factors affect CD4 count level in pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the mean and reference range of CD4 count in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria.


METHODS
A retrospective study was carried out at antenatal clinics of the Maternal and Child Center of a secondary health center in Lagos State, Nigeria. Records of HIV-positive pregnant women at various gestational ages, including CD4+ cell count at booking, packed cell volume (PCV) at booking and labor, gestational age at delivery, and infant weight and sex were retrieved. The descriptive data was given as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Pearson's chi-squared test and correlation were used for analytical assessment.


RESULTS
Data were retrieved for a total of 143 patients. The mean age was 31.15±3.78 years. The mean PCV was 31.01%±3.79% at booking and 30.49%±4.80% during labor. The mean CD4 count was 413.87±212.09 cells/μL, with a range of 40 to 1,252 cells/μL. The mean infant weight was 3.05±0.45 kg, with a range of 2 to 5 kg. Age of the mother, gestational age, and PCV at booking were not statistically significantly associated with CD4 count.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal age, gestational age, and PCV at booking had no significant effects on CD4+ cell count levels in pregnancy. The mean CD4+ cell count of HIV-positive pregnant women in Lagos is 413.87±212.09 cells/μL.
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Akinsegun A
AA
Akinbami
Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Abidoye
A
Gbadegesin
Department of Haematology and Immunology, Ben-Carson School of Medicine, Babcock University, Ilisan, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Sarah O
SO
Ajibola
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Ebele I
EI
Uche
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Adedoyin O
AO
Dosunmu
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
Adewumi
A
Adediran
Department Of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Adekunle
A
Sobande
HIV-pregnant women; immunity; mean value; pregnancy; reference range