Just to follow on some of the discussions about the Nduati paper, I thought
I'd share some comments from the world of United States private voluntary
organizations that work on international health projects (CORE group).  I
couldn't attach the attachment, but anyone who can't find the WHO response
trhough other means is welcome to email me privately and I'd be happy to
sent it.

Susan Burger

******************
Subj:  Diamond Chip#3: HIV, Breastfeeding, and Maternal survival Date
Date:  6/13/2001 10:51:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From:    [log in to unmask] (CORE Members Listserve)

        Q:  The newspapers are full of a story that says that HIV+
women who breastfeed are more likely to die!  Yikes!  Should we be changing
our information in VCT counseling?

        A:  Absolutely not.  Continue to support optimal
breastfeeding for all women.

        Even if tested HIV+, safe, or exclusive breastfeeding, is
still an accepted option, especially where replacements are not feasible,
safe, available or affordable, which is the case in most of our countries
where other infectious disease deaths will increase in the absence of
breastfeeding.
***********

        Breastfeeding has not been found to increase HIV+ maternal
mortality in other data bases.  In fact, in this one study, the
breastfeeding group had the expected mortlaity rate.  For a more complete
resonse, the WHO response to the article is attached.

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