Comparison of Feeding Options for HIV-Exposed Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Sandip Ray1, Anju Seth2, Noopur Baijal1
1Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India.
Insights
For HIV-exposed infants, exclusively breastfeeding is linked to fewer illnesses. Animal milk feeding is a viable alternative to commercial infant formula when breastfeeding is not possible.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Nutrition
Background:
- Infant feeding practices are critical for growth and health, especially in HIV-exposed uninfected infants.
- Understanding the impact of different feeding modes on health outcomes is essential for optimal infant care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare growth, anemia prevalence, and sickness frequency in HIV-exposed uninfected infants based on feeding mode.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of exclusive breastfeeding, animal milk feeding, and commercial infant formula.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study involving 109 HIV-exposed uninfected infants.
- Infants were categorized into three feeding groups: exclusively breastfed, animal milk fed, and commercial infant formula fed.
- Comparison of anthropometric parameters, hemoglobin levels, and sickness frequency at 6 months of age.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in growth parameters (weight-for-age, weight-for-length, length-for-age z-scores) or anemia prevalence across the feeding groups.
- Infants fed animal milk or commercial infant formula had a significantly increased risk of sickness compared to exclusively breastfed infants.
- Odds ratios for sickness were 2.5 for animal milk feeding and 2.49 for commercial infant formula feeding (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of sickness in HIV-exposed uninfected infants.
- Animal milk feeding presents a practical alternative to commercial infant formula when breastfeeding is not feasible or preferred.
- Feeding modality significantly impacts illness frequency, highlighting the importance of informed feeding choices.
Objective:
To compare growth, anemia prevalence, and sickness frequency in HIV- exposed uninfected infants on different feeding modes.
Methods:
In this retrospective cohort study, 109 HIV-exposed uninfected infants registered at our center were categorized into three groups as per their feeding mode during first 6 months viz. exclusively breast fed (n=50), animal milk fed (n=40) and commercial infant formula fed (n=19). Their anthropometric parameters, hemoglobin and frequency of sickness at the age of 6 months were compared.
Results:
There were no significant inter-group differences in the weight for age, weight for length, length for age z-scores (P=0.16, 0.37 and 0.12, respectively); proportion of infants with underweight (P=0.63), wasting (P=0.82), or stunting (P=0.82), and mean hemoglobin levels among the 3 groups at 6 month of age. Animal milk fed and formula fed infant had increased risk of sickness compared to exclusively breastfed infants (OR 2.5 and 2.49, respectively; P<0.01).
Conclusions:
In circumstances where breastfeeding is not feasible or preferred, animal milk feeding offers a viable alternative to commercial infant feeding formula in HIV exposed infants.
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