This is for those of you interested in HIV and breast milk. It wasn't widely publicized, so I thought I'd send it to you, courtesy of Trisha Noack of La Leche League International. You may freely re-distribute it as long as you keep it in its entirety. Sue Ann Kendall --------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Center for Breastfeeding Information (708)519-7730 ext. 241 Role of Mother's Milk in HIV Transmission Unclear (Schaumburg, IL) August 15, 1995 - Researchers continue to produce a variety of results while exploring the role of breastfeeding in the transmission of HIV from mother to baby, according to the Center for Breastfeeding Information (CBI) at La Leche League International (LLLI). At this time the extent to which HIV can be passed through breast milk and the role human milk plays in fighting HIV remain unclear. Some researchers have isolated HIV in human milk and other case reports document the transmission of HIV presumably via human milk by mothers. Yet other studies do not show there to be a high risk of transmission. In addition, research shows that breastfeeding slows the progression of the disease in babies who are born HIV-positive. Human milk may also be a factor in preventing the spread of the virus as shown in a 1995 study in which a human milk factor that inhibits the binding of HIV to specific receptor sites on human T-cells has been isolated in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers. This phenomenon potentially inhibits the virus from taking hold in the baby. Reseachers continue to report on the importance of breast milk to the over-all health of the child as well. There is ample documentation that human milk significantly lowers the rate of infectious childhood illness in non-HIV-infected children exclusively breastfed by either HIV-positive or negative mothers. Experts agree that protecting the HIV-positive child from other infections is also extremely important in the management of the disease. La Leche League International acknowledges the worldwide challenge of making informed infant feeding decisions when HIV is a consideration. Parents and health care providers are urged to weigh the known, documented health and emotional benefits of human milk and breastfeeding for both mother and child against (1) the known, documented health hazards of artificial infant feeding (2) the rates of childhood illness and death from infectious diseases in the mother's area of the world, and (3) the as yet underclarified risk of HIV transmission through human milk. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently maintains its 1985 stand that women infected with HIV should not breastfeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation reflects the La Leche League International position. WHO issued a revised statement in May 1992 recommending that breastfeeding be promoted and supported in all populations, irrespective of HIV infection rates. The WHO statement contains a qualification which cautions weighing the risks of HIV transmission against the risk of formula feeding depending on rates of illness and death from infectious diseases. The Center for Breastfeeding Information at La Leche League International is committed to collecting and disseminating the most current, published information about HIV and human milk in order to facilitate the decision-making process. Interested parties may contact the CBI at (708) 519-7730 for further information. La Leche League International, founded in 1956, reaches over 100,000 women in 60 countries every month with information and mother-to-mother support. LLLI is recognized as the world's foremost authority on breastfeeding. Parents seeking breastfeeding support and information my call their local La Leche League Group or 1-800-LA-LECHE or write to 1400 N. Meacham, Schaumburg, IL 60168-4079. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sue Ann Kendall, mother of two small boys, editor, La Leche League Leader LLL District Advisor, Illinois District C1 Champaign, IL USA East Central Illinois Breastfeeding Promotion Task Force Chair, 1995-6 Owner, La Leche League On Line ([log in to unmask]) Prairienet Documentation Committee Head http://www.prairienet.org/~sak [log in to unmask] http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/homepage.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------