High prevalence of cervical squamous cell abnormalities among HIV-infected women with immunological AIDS-defining illnesses

Aim: To assess the results of Pap smear at postpartum scheduled visit, especially the prevalence of squamous cell abnormalities including association with CD4+ T‐lymphocyte count (CD4+ count) levels at delivery among HIV‐infected women between the years 1996 and 2004. Methods: As part of the research and implementation programs of short course antiretroviral regimens for the prevention of mother to child perinatal HIV transmission in HIV‐infected pregnant women delivered at Siriraj hospital, CD4+ count at delivery and Pap smear at postpartum were evaluated. Results: Among 636 women, 13.3% had squamous cell abnormalities. Seventy‐seven cases (90.6%) of squamous cell abnormalities were low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The prevalence of squamous epithelial cell abnormalities detected by Pap smear, was higher in women whose CD4+ count at delivery was