The recent, excellent Science News article covering the topic (Sep22'07)
pointed out that a recent large study by Rollins (Mar 31 Lancet) in
Africa revealaed that exclusively breastfed transmission rates were
about 4 percent between 6 weeks and 6 months (I don't know what the
first 6 weeks bring). (Gosh, if you mixed this finding with drug therapy
or flash heating...) They made a strong point throughout the article that
mixing formula and breast feeds brought much greater vulnerability to
infection due to the intestinal irritation that formula causes. Solid food
supplements brought even greater transmission rates. Based on this
observation, WHO recommends a rapid weaning when weaning time
comes (they say 6 mos of course but...) to avoid HIV breastmilk
exposure during the irritation of foods. This explains that 6 month
factor in Iwona's statistic
The article also implied what seems to be obvious though not measured
in studies that I know of: that if mother has sores or inflammation on
her nipples or baby has sores in his mouth, transmission risk is likely
much higher.
linda
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