Glossary Hide

CD4 count number of CD4 cells in a drop of your blood. CD4 counts are measured in cells/mm³.

CD4% percentage of total lymphocytes (white blood cells) that are CD4 cells,

Related websites Hide

Children and HIV treatment

CHIVA Children's HIV Association.
This UK site gives more information on HIV treatment for children.

PENTA Paediatric European Network for Treatment of AIDS.
This UK site gives more information on HIV treatment for children.

Resources and downloads Hide

1 Immune system and CD4 count

1.10 Differences between adults and children

Children generally have much higher CD4 counts than adults. Babies have higher CD4 counts than children.

Over time, and as we age our CD4 count drops gradually.
Because CD4 counts are so much higher, children under 12 years old with HIV are monitored by CD4% rather than absolute CD4 count.

HIV disease category	CD4%	CD4 0-12 months old	CD4 1-5 years old	CD4 6-12 years old
1 - no damage	25% or over	over 1,500	over 1,000	over 500
2 - moderate	15-24%	750-1,500	500-1,000	200-500
3 - severe	under 15%	under 750	under 500	under 200