Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 57 078 569 at 11:05am on Thursday April 29 2004.
Breastfeeding is not detrimental to the health of HIV-positive mothers, according to a study published in the latest edition of Aids.
Investigators in Tanzania conducted a study involving 698 HIV-positive mothers between 1995 and 1997. The study was undertaken because earlier studies had produced conflicting evidence about the risk of maternal HIV disease progression after breastfeeding.
The investigators assessed whether breastfeeding was associated with maternal HIV disease progression by looking at the risk of death, low CD4 cell count, anaemia, and weight loss.
â€Our findings indicate that breastfeeding is not detrimental to the health of HIV-1-infected women,†the investigators said.
They added that their study suggests ‘that HIV-positive women should continue to base their decisions about breastfeeding on their assessment of the health and nutritional benefits of breastfeeding and the risk of vertical transmission to their children.â€
Source: aidsmap