| Abstract: | The risk of vertical HIV transmission is greatest (20%) during late pregnancy and childbirth. Breast feeding is associated with an additional 14% risk. The risk of infection through breast feeding must be weighed against the dangers posed by artificial feeding. If HIV-positive mothers were to abandon breast feeding without safe alternatives, the resulting infant deaths from diarrhea and respiratory infections could vastly outnumber those from HIV. HIV-infected mothers should be assisted by HIV counselors or health professionals to weigh the risks of both vertical transmission through breast feeding and infections associated with artificial feeding. If an HIV-positive mother has access to adequate breast milk substitutes that she can prepare safely, she should consider artificial feeding. Access to voluntary, confidential HIV testing and counseling is key to any strategy to reduce vertical transmission. Prenatal and obstetric care services aimed at reducing the HIV transmission risk are also essential. |
