What is it about?
Breastfeeding is a major health-promoting factor for infants and children in developing countries but the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV by this route is challenging traditional practices and health policies in low-resource countries.
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Why is it important?
Maternal and infant factors contributing to the risk of MTCT through breastfeeding are still poorly understood. Factors identified include: advanced clinical stages of infection in the mother; high maternal plasma HIV-1 load; presence of mastitis; and infant oral thrush.
Perspectives
While a longer period of breastfeeding would probably increase the risk of mother to child HIV transmission(MTCT) in vulnerable communities, a shorter duration would certainly increase infant morbidity and mortality. Results of investigations of the efficacy of ARV for protecting the infants of HIV-infected mothers during the breastfeeding period provide hope for effectively tackling this complex problem.
Dr Michael O Ogundele
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Postgraduate Medical Centre
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: HIV transmission through breastfeeding: problems and prevention, Annals of Tropical Paediatrics, June 2003, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1179/027249303235002161.
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