Feeding pratices and HIV positivity rates of exposed infants: results of a prospective study

Abstract

Background: Breast milk despite its benefit is a known route of HIV transmission in developing countries this cannot be easily replaced and as such the feeding of the HIV exposed infant becomes a great challenge. We evaluated the impact of infant feeding practices on HIV positivity rates.
Methods: HIV DNA PCR was performed at birth, six weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks on HIV exposed infants who were either exclusively breast fed (EBF) or had breast milk supplement (BMS) in a prospective study conducted at the HIV Clinic of the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
Results: A total of 140 infants out of the 164 recruited were studied. The methods of delivery were 112 (80.0%) SVD, 27 (19.3%) by caesarean section and 1 (0.7%) by forceps delivery. HIV DNA PCR was available for 103 infants. HIV DNA PCR positivity rates were 16.1% vs. 4.1% at birth; 19.3% vs. 5.9% at 6 weeks; 29.0% vs. 7.3% at 12 weeks and 32.2% vs. 7.3% at 24 weeks for EBF and BM respectively (OR = 7.37; 95%CI: 2.28-23.7).40 (35.7%) of the mothers membranes ruptured less than 4 hours before delivery. Artificial rupture of membranes was performed at the labour room for 60 (53.6%) of the women and 12 (10.7%) had ruptured membranes for more than 4 hours prior to delivery.
Conclusions: This study further confirmed the importance of feeding counseling amongst mothers of HIV exposed infants.

Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus, Exclusive breast feeding, Breast milk substitutes