The last research on this that I read (about 6 months ago), was along the lines that the incidence of HIV transmission was highest among babies that were fed both breast milk and formula. I think the transmission of HIV to the infants at 6months of age was more or less the same for infants fed either formula or breast milk alone( really a little higher in the breast fed babies not sure how significant the difference was). I think this is because a baby can be HIV negative at birth but seroconvert (sp) sometime in the first year, the transmission of the virus being either inutero or at birth. There are many factors that must be considered including the immune status of the mother and her health otherwise (duh!). From this research, which I think is actually about 3yrs old, came the awareness that feeding formula damages the lining of the gut so that pathogens can leek through, hence the greater transmission of HIV in infants that were mix fed. I think, in light of this research, it is important that HIV infected mothers be aware of the importance of feeding only breast milk or only formula: NO mixed feeds. Of course illnesses caused by contaminated water etc. have to be considered also, but again a mixed feeding infant will also be more prone to gastrointestinal illnesses too. You can find this research by going to pubmed and entering " HIV transmission" AND "breast milk". The recommendation of c/s for HIV infected women in general, I think is an over reaction and should be a case by case decision.
marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jayne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 5:18 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] HIV and birth > I think it might be outdated......I've definitely read stuff in the past > year that breastfeeding is probably safer than bottle feeding in such > countries due to contamination of water supplies (babies were more likely to > die from this than contract AIDS from the mother) and there were other > points raised. I can't remember where I read it though......wahhhhhhh!! > Perhaps you could do a search online - I have to go off line right now or I > would look it up - very interesting subject. > > Jayne > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Larry & Megan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: ozmidwifery <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 12:10 PM > Subject: [ozmidwifery] HIV and birth > > > > Did anyone else watch SBS, Cutting Edge, last night? It was on two women > who > > were HIV positive and pregnant. Followed them through to post birth. It > was > > said that there is less risk of transfer of the virus if baby is born by > > caesarean. They also said it was safer if baby was bottle fed, which makes > > sense if the mothers milk will pass on the virus. Can anyone enlighten me > on > > why this is the case? > > Fortunately both babies were born HIV negative and there mothers were > > continuing to be drug free. > > Statistics at the end were that 25% of pregnant women in Sth Africa are > HIV > > positive, and most cannot receive medication due to governments continuing > > disbelief that the disease exists. > > > > Megan > > > > -- > > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
