Just wanted to point out that the 3/4 and 1/4 being referred to with regards
to HIV transmission from mother to child does not represent all children
born to HIV positive mothers.  If an HIV positive mom is taking no
medication during pregnancy and delivery, baby has about a 25% chance of
being HIV positive.  If mom is taking AZT, the chance is about 8%.  Of those
infants who turn out to be HIV positive, it is believed, in places where
breastfeeding is common, that 3/4 of those infected were infected prior to
birth, and 1/4 after birth by breastfeeding.  Unfortunately, no one knows at
birth which infants are infected.  It is believed that breastfeeding results
in an increased rate of transmission (and there are cases where HIV
transmission is known to have occurred through breastfeeding; cases where
baby was negative after birth, then converted later on.)   Since we don't
know which infants are infected (accurate testing can be done at 1 month of
age,) or which will be infected via breastfeeding, that's why the
recommendation that no infant with an HIV positive mom in an industrialized
country be breastfed.
Jennifer Tieman
Family Physician
Mom to 3, and new baby #4 expected 5/31/03

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