A couple of thoughts for consideration in evaluating the study reported
in Lancet, " Short  Course of Zidovudine Can Prevent Vertical Hiv
Transmission Despite Breastfeeding:

This study measures possible transmission of hiv virus and  not the
clinical effect on a baby's health.  I say "possible transmission"
because, again,  there are a number of researchers still to be convinced
that measuring viral load is proof that the virus is transmitted through
breastmilk.  Also, in question, is the effect of this transmission, if
it occurs, on the babies health, since we have no proof that the virus
is capable of being infectious in breastmilk.

And what do we know of the long term effect on the baby of this drug
given to a mother during pregnancy?  In October I attended a hearing on
drugs used in pregnancy, put on the the United States Food and Drug
Administration in Washington, DC.  An obstetrician, member of the FDA
panel, reported on a study that is following a group of children whose
mothers were given antiretrovirals during pregnancy.  The children, now
five years old, are entering kindergarten, and in the doctor's words,
"they are showing neurological problems."

Talking to her later, the doctor admitted that these problems might be
due to other factors, but apparently she felt it important enough to
bring to the hearing.  I am still trying to track this study down, so we
can have more complete information.

Wish this wasn't so complicated.

Marian Tompson
Evanston, IL

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