A Review of the Medical Benefits and Contraindications to Breastfeeding
in the Unitied States by Ruth Lawrence, MD is a free Maternal and Child
Health Technical Information Bulletin published by the National Center
for Education in Maternal and Child Health, 2000 15th Street, North,
Suite 701, Arlington, VA 22201-2617.  Phone (703) 524-7802; Fax (703)
524-9335.

The above bulletin cites several studies, which I find a bit over my
head, at least at this hour.  The gist seems to be that mothers who are
co-infected with HIV have a much greater risk of transmitting hepatitis
C to their babies. The conclusion to the study by Lin, et. al., is that
"Breastfeeding should not be discouraged in hepatitis C carrier mothers
without co-infection."  The authors proposed the following explanations:

"HCV levels are too low in colostrum to infect the infant.
A small amount of HCV may be inactivated in the infant's
gastrointestinal tract.
The integrity of the mucosa of the infant my preclude infection by the
oral route.
There may be neutralization of HCV by antibodies in the colostrum."

Medications and Mothers Milk by Dr. Tom Hale (1998/99 edition) says that
transmission of HCV by breastmilk is theoretically possible, but has not
been documented.  He also states that transmission could occur from
direct exposure to blood, e.g. if mom's nipples were bleeding or
following intial infection and viremia.  He concludes that the decision
whether or not to breastfeed be made on a risk/benefit basis by the
mother and physician.

Hope this helps.
--
Bonnie Jones, RN, ICCE, IBCLC
from the sunny S.W. USA
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