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HIV-1 and Breastfeeding in the United States

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Breastfeeding

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 743))

Abstract

While breastfeeding remains a significant source of mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) globally, it is the recommended infant feeding option for HIV-infected women in resource-limited settings [1]. However, HIV-infected women in the USA—where breast milk alternatives are acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable, and safe—have been counseled to avoid all breastfeeding since 1985 [2]. A number of studies have found that despite such recommendations against breastfeeding by HIV-infected women, a very small proportion of HIV-infected women in the USA continue to breastfeed their infants [3–5] for various reasons. Many of these women received late or no prenatal care, inadequate antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis, or were not diagnosed with HIV until at or after labor and delivery. While breastfeeding has never been a major source of perinatal HIV infections in the USA, studies have identified the practice as a risk factor for MTCT in the USA [4]. Complete avoidance remains the only sure way to prevent late postnatal HIV transmission through breastfeeding.

* The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Kristen M. Little M.P.H.

  2. Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH), National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually-Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Dale J. Hu M.D., M.P.H.

  3. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP), NCHHSTP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS E-45. 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA

    Ken L. Dominguez M.D., M.P.H.

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  1. Kristen M. Little M.P.H.
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  2. Dale J. Hu M.D., M.P.H.
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  3. Ken L. Dominguez M.D., M.P.H.
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Correspondence to Ken L. Dominguez M.D., M.P.H. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Emory University, Buford Highway 4770, Atlanta, 30341, Georgia, USA

    Athena P. Kourtis

  2. and Prevention, Global AIDS Program - China, Centers for Disease Control, Emory University School of Medicine, Beijing, 100600, China, People's Republic

    Marc Bulterys

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Little, K.M., Hu, D.J., Dominguez, K.L. (2012). HIV-1 and Breastfeeding in the United States. In: Kourtis, A., Bulterys, M. (eds) Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Breastfeeding. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 743. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2251-8_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2251-8_19

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