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[HIV-1 virus transmission through maternal milk]
M M Avila1, M Gazpio, D Liberatore
1Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires. avilaefron@hotmail.com
Medicina
|October 29, 2000
Summary
Breastfeeding significantly increases the risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission from mother to child. This study found a 4.29 times higher infection rate in breastfed infants, highlighting transmission risks.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum.
- Breastfeeding is a known potential route for postnatal HIV-1 transmission.
Observation:
- A study analyzed HIV-1 transmission risk through breastfeeding in infants born to HIV-1 infected mothers.
- A case report details a late postnatal HIV-1 infection in a child breastfed for 24 months, born to a seropositive father and seronegative mother.
Findings:
- Infants who were breastfed showed a significantly higher rate of HIV-1 infection compared to bottle-fed infants (p < 0.000000, Relative Risk = 4.29).
- The case study confirmed HIV-1 infection in both mother and child, with infection likely occurring postnatally through prolonged breastfeeding.
Implications:
- Findings underscore the significant risk associated with breastfeeding for HIV-1 transmission, even in cases of late postnatal infection.
- This research emphasizes the need for careful infant feeding guidelines for mothers living with HIV-1 to prevent transmission.