Breastfeeding ‘may prevent HIV infection’

HIV-positive mothers may be able to prevent their baby from infection by breastfeeding, a new study suggests.

The research carried out by Hoosen Coovadia and Nigel Rollins of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa found that exclusive breastfeeding by HIV-positive mothers carried a “significantly lower risk of HIV transmission than all types of mixed breastfeeding”.

Published in this week’s issue of the Lancet medical journal, the researchers found that infants who received formula milk in addition to breast milk, before or after 14 weeks, were nearly twice as likely to acquire HIV infection as infants who received breast milk only.

Mortality rates also back the scientists’ claims. At three months old, the mortality rate of replacement-fed babies was more than double that of those who were exclusively breastfed.

It is thought that exclusive breastfeeding could prevent up to 15 per cent of child deaths to Aids in some countries.

“The key policy finding of our study is the definite demonstration that early introduction of solid foods and animal milks increases HIV transmission risks compared with exclusive breastfeeding from birth,” the authors conclude.

Due to their findings the authors of the report are calling for support from Unicef and revision of its infant-feeding guidelines.

Previous estimates of postnatal transmission of HIV through breastfeeding stand at around ten to 20 per cent but do not distinguish between exclusive and mixed breastfeeding.