(with all the comments about Haitian moms not being able to breastfeed, due
to HIV - this newly released study is very timely.

Which is easier - supplying and shipping antiretrovirals to save the life of
mom and baby, or sending formula which puts babe at risk of all other
aspects of formula feeding?

Janice Reynolds)

 

 

http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=72937138

 

 

Jan 14 2010, 3:40 PM EST


Zambian study finds longer breastfeeding best for HIV-infected mothers


Infectious Diseases <http://www.idsociety.org>  Society of America 

A new study from Zambia suggests that halting breastfeeding early causes
more harm than good for children not infected with HIV who are born to
HIV-positive mothers. Stopping breastfeeding before 18 months was associated
with significant increases in mortality among these children, according to
the study's findings, described in the Feb. 1, 2010 issue of Clinical
Infectious Diseases, and available online
(http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/649886) now.

The researchers' initial hypothesis, which proved to be incorrect, suggested
that by 4 months of age, children would have passed the critical
developmental point when breastfeeding is essential to their survival.
However, stopping breastfeeding at 4 months, compared to usual breastfeeding
as the child reaches 6 months to 24 months or older, did not decrease
mortality or play a significant role in protecting the child from HIV
transmission.

These findings were consistent with those for mothers not infected with HIV;
longer breastfeeding is necessary to protect children against potentially
fatal infectious diseases, especially those prevalent in low-resource
settings. To prevent postnatal HIV transmission, however, mothers with HIV
should be on antiretroviral drugs.

"Our results help support the recent change in the World Health Organization
(WHO) guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission," said
study author Louise Kuhn, PhD, of Columbia University in New York City. "The
new guidelines encourage postnatal use of antiretroviral through the
duration of breastfeeding to prevent vertical [mother-to-child]
transmission." 

 


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