Prolonged Breastfeeding Protects Kids From HIV

By Staff

Friday, January 15, 2010, 13:17

A new study has revealed that stopping breastfeeding early might increase mortality risk among children born to HIV infected mothers. By 4 months of age, children pass the critical stage of development where breastfeeding is essential for their survival.

Longer breastfeeding is necessary to protect children against potentially fatal and infectious diseases, including HIV. To prevent post natal HIV transmission, however, mothers with HIV should be on antiretroviral drugs.

Findings concluded that terminating breastfeeding before 4 months of the baby's age, increases the mortality rate. Therefore, prolonged breast feeding plays a significant role in protecting the child from HIV transmission.

The study results were consistent for mothers not infected with HIV too.

"Our results help support the recent change in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission," said study author, Louise Kuhn, Ph.D, Columbia University.

The new guidelines encourage post natal use of antiretrovirals through the duration of breastfeeding to prevent vertical (mother to child) transmission.