Regarding Kate McMurry's very interesting post about
increased mortality amoung HIV+ African moms who
breastfed...got me thinking.  Could increased
mortality be due in part to the naturally altered
hormonal state of a bfing mother?  I don't know a lot
of the details of how HIV proliferates in the human
body; however, I cared for several pregnant women with
cancer during my years in high-risk OB.  Sadly, cancer
loves few things like it loves pregnancy.  Not only
does the disease progress more rapidly during
pregnancy (a slightly hypermetabolic state), but
chemotherapy, and often radiation, are
contraindicated.  Could the hormones of breastfeeding
have a similar effect on HIV?
All you biochemistry and biology buffs...any thoughts?
Carole

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