The preliminary
results from the new study had been communicated
in July 2000 and were considered by the Technical
Consultation convened by WHO in October 2000.6
The new results do not warrant any change
in current policies on breastfeeding nor on
infant feeding by HIV-infected women. These
are:
 |
Exclusive
breastfeeding should be protected, promoted
and supported for 6 months.7 This applies
to women who are known not to be infected
with HIV and for women whose infection
status is unknown; |
|
When replacement
feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable,
sustainable and safe, avoidance of all
breastfeeding by HIV-infected mothers
is recommended; otherwise, exclusive breastfeeding
is recommended during the first months
of life;6,7 |
|
To minimize
HIV transmission risk, breastfeeding should
be discontinued as soon as feasible, taking
into account local circumstances, the
individual woman's situation and the risks
of replacement feeding (including infections
other than HIV and malnutrition);6 |
|
HIV-infected
women should have access to information,
follow-up clinical care and support, including
family planning services and nutritional
support.6 |
|
|
References
|
Nduati R,
Richardson BA, John G, et al. Effect of
breastfeeding on mortality among HIV-1 infected
women: a randomised trial. Lancet 2001;
357: 1651-5. |
|
Nduati R,
John G, Mbori-Ngacha D, et al. Effect of
breastfeeding and formula feeding on transmission
of HIV-1: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA
2000; 283: 1167-74. |
|
Nduati R,
Richardson B, John G, et al. Impact of breastfeeding
on maternal mortality among HIV-1 infected
women: results of a randomised clinical
trial, Abstract WeOrC495, 13th International
AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa, 9-14
July 2000. |
|
Coutsoudis
A, Coovadia H, Pillay K, Kuhn L. Are HIV-infected
women who breastfeed at increased risk of
mortality? AIDS 2001; 15: 653-5. |
|
Newell M-L.
Does breastfeeding really affect mortality
among HIV-1 infected women? Lancet 2001;
357: 1634-5. |
| |
World Health
Organization. New data on the prevention
of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and
their policy implications: conclusions and
recommendations. WHO Technical Consultation
on behalf of the UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/UNAIDS
Inter-Agency Task Team on Mother-to-Child
Transmission of HIV. Geneva: World Health
Organization, 2001. Report No. WHO/RHR/01.28.
|
|
 World
Health Assembly. Infant and Young Child
Nutrition. Geneva: World Health Organization,
2001. Resolution WHA54.2. |
|
|
