Question

My CD4 count is below 234, will my child be affected?

27 August 2013. Related: All topics, Pregnancy.

What if I’m pregnant and my CD4 count is below 234 my child will be affected?

Answer

Answer: Rebecca McDowall

Hi,

Thanks for your email.

If you are pregnant and your CD4 count is under 350 it is important that you are taking ARVs. This is important both for your own health and to prevent your baby from being infected with HIV.

Having a lower CD4 count doesn’t mean that it is more likely your baby will be HIV positive. The risk of passing HIV to your baby is connected to your viral load- the amount of HIV in your body- rather than your CD4 count. The only way to reduce your viral load is to take ARVs.

You can read more about this in our pregnancy guide. Please let me know if you have any further questions.