Appropriate feeding methods for infants of HIV infected mothers in sub-Saharan Africa Commentary: The feeding debate is still unresolved and of secondary importance
| Autor: | Michael C. Latham, Elizabeth A Preble |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2000 |
| Předmět: |
Feeding Methods
education.field_of_study Pediatrics medicine.medical_specialty Maternal Transmission business.industry Transmission (medicine) Population General Medicine Breast milk medicine.disease Malnutrition Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Environmental health medicine business education Breast feeding |
| Zdroj: | BMJ. 320:1656-1660 |
| ISSN: | 0959-8138 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/bmj.320.7250.1656 |
| Popis: | Appropriate feeding methods for infants of HIV infected mothers in sub-Saharan Africa {#article-title-2} HIV and AIDS have seriously affected women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa. In 1998, an estimated 590 000 infants worldwide acquired HIV-1 from their mothers; 90% of these infants were in Africa.1 Transmission of HIV from mother to child mainly occurs in utero and during delivery, but in a few cases it happens through breast feeding.2 Increased attention is being focused on strategies to prevent vertical transmission of HIV.3 These strategies need to be based on risk assessment and on cost effectiveness analysis. Interventions are aimed at preventing transmission in utero and during delivery or during breast feeding. Here we discuss only the appropriate infant feeding practices for HIV-1 infected mothers living in poor households in sub-Saharan Africa. #### Summary points Concern is increasing over mother to child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa Decisions about interventions must be based on assessment of risks, costs, and benefits The role of breast feeding in the vertical transmission of HIV has been exaggerated Exclusive breast feeding reduces HIV transmission Promoting infant formula feeding to prevent HIV infection might increase infant morbidity, malnutrition, and mortality More research on alternative infant feeding methods is urgently needed In many African countries, the HIV and AIDS pandemic is a major tragedy of unprecedented proportions that is increasingly affecting mothers and their children. However, even responsible health agencies have tended to exaggerate the role of breast feeding in transmission. It is estimated that in countries with a low seroprevalence of HIV (5% of women infected) fewer than 1% of all infants are likely to become infected through breast feeding, whereas in those with a high prevalence (25% of women infected) fewer than 4% of infants will be affected through lengthy breast feeding.4 If preventing a child from acquiring HIV infection through breast milk were the … Correspondence to: K Zwi, 1/10 Oaks Avenue, Cremorne, NSW 2090, Australia |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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