1.10 Differences between adults and children

23 July 2011

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.

Table: CD4% and CD4 counts for babies and children

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

WHO guidelines include a detailed discussion of how and when to use HIV treatment in children at different ages.

The 2010 update is available at this link. (PDF download)