Lancet
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Cheaper, simpler alternatives to CD4 lymphocyte count and HIV-1 RNA detection for assessing the prognosis of HIV-1 infection are needed for resource-poor settings. However, little is known about the predictive value of alternative assays, in particular in children. ⋯ In a Cox proportional hazards model, including all assay-alternatives to CD4 and RNA, total lymphocyte count (p<0.0001) and serum albumin (p=0.0107) independently predicted mortality. Further assessment of these markers is warranted in resource-poor settings.