Background:
Recent studies have shown a decrease in CD4 count during adolescence in young people with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV). We examine changes and predictors of CD4 over time in PHIV in the UK and compare to published CD4 data in the general population.//
Methods:
PHIV followed in the Collaborative HIV Paediatric Study who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 2000 onwards were included. Follow-up data from the UK Collaborative HIV Cohort Study were also used. Changes in CD4 count over time from age 10 to 20 years were analysed using mixed effects models. Potential predictors included demographics, age at ART start, nadir CD4 z-score (age-adjusted) in childhood and time-updated viral load.//
Results:
Of 1,258 PHIV included, 669 (53%) were female, median [IQR] age at ART initiation was 8.3 years [3.5, 12.1] and nadir CD4 z-score was -4.0 [-5.9, -2.5]. In multivariable analysis, mean CD4 count was higher in PHIV who started ART before age 10 and had a nadir CD4 z-score ≥-4 in childhood; these PHIV had a decline in CD4 count after age 10 which was comparable to the general population. Mean CD4 count was lower in PHIV who had started ART before age 10 and had a nadir CD4 z-score <-4 in childhood; for this group the decline in CD4 count after age 10 was steeper over time.//
Conclusions:
In children, as well as starting ART at an early age, optimising ART to maintain a higher CD4 z-score during childhood may be important to maximize immune reconstitution later in life
