The impact of breastfeeding on the health of HIV-positive mothers and their children in sub-Saharan Africa

• DOI: 10.2471/blt.05.027664
• Publication Date: 2007-07-10T08:41:10Z
• Authors: Taha Taha
• Keywords: Interquartile range

ObjectiveWe assessed the impact of breastfeeding by women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 on their morbidity and risk mortality children.Methods We analysed longitudinal data from two previous randomized clinical trials mother-to-child transmission HIV conducted between April 2000 March 2003 in Republic Malawi, Africa.Mothers HIV, newborns, were enrolled at time child's birth; they then returned for follow-up visits when child was aged 1 week, 6-8 weeks 3, 6, 9, 15, 18, 21 24 months.Patterns (classified as exclusive, mixed or no breastfeeding), maternal mortality, among children each visit.Descriptive multivariate analyses performed to determine association infant outcomes.Findings A total original studies.During 2 years after birth, 44 (2.2%) mothers 310 (15.5%) died.(Multiple births excluded.)The median duration 18 months (interquartile range (IQR) = 9.0-22.5),exclusive (IQR 2-3) feeding 12 6-18).Breastfeeding patterns not significantly associated adjusting viral load other covariates.Breastfeeding reduced infants children: adjusted hazard ratio overall 0.44 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.70),for 0.45 CI 0.28-0.71)and exclusive 0.40 0.22-0.72).These protective effects seen both who those not.Conclusion Breastfeeding morbidity; it highly significant reductions children.