Mortality among HIV-positive postpartum women with high CD4 cell counts in Zimbabwe

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Abstract
Background: Whereas HAART initiated at CD4 cell counts 351–450 cells/μl reduces mortality, compared with starting at lower CD4 levels, there is currently no evidence for the advantages of initiating treatment at CD4 cell counts greater than 450 cells/μl. Methods: Mortality hazard, as a function of CD4 cell count, was estimated among postpartum HIV-positive women in Zimbabwe, using HIV-negative women as the reference group. Results: Mortality within 24 months postpartum was 54 times higher among women with CD4 cell counts less than 200 cells/μl, fell to 5.4 times higher for those with CD4 cell counts 400–600 cells/μl but fell little thereafter. For CD4 cell counts greater than 600 cells/μl the hazard was 6.2 (95% confidence interval 3.2–11.9). Conclusion: Early HAART initiation for all HIV-positive pregnant women may benefit individual mothers and infants, and simultaneously reduce population HIV incidence.