Lymphocyte Counts Can Predict Risk of Death in HIV-positive Children

Total lymphocyte counts and levels of albumin, a protein in the blood, could be a predictor of HIV disease progression and risk of death in HIV-positive children, according to a study in the November 14 edition of The Lancet. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health examined the prognostic value of five blood tests among 376 HIV-positive children and found that low lymphocyte counts and low albumin levels predicted the risk of disease progression and death in children of all ages. The 12-month risk of death was greater than 15% in children with lymphocyte counts less than 3,600 cells per cubic millimeter of blood and was greater than 15% in children when albumin concentrations fell below 3.7 to 4.0 grams per deciliter.