American Academy of Paediatrics has said that provided the mother is on anti retroviral treatment, she can breastfeed. India already allows breastfeeding by HIV+ moms
What India thinks today, USA thinks tomorrow!
India’s official policy on breastfeeding by HIV positive mothers with adequate precautions looks all set now to be adopted by the United States of America. Almost from the time that HIV has been known to man, breastfeeding by HIV positive mothers has been a complete “no no” in the United States for risk of transmission of infection. However the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) has now reversed that advice for parents who are extremely keen to breastfeed, are on anti retroviral treatment (ART) and have been properly counselled about the risks and necessary precautions.
In a new clinical report published in the journal Pediatrics, AAP has now said: “Breastfeeding should be supported for people with HIV who strongly desire to breastfeed after comprehensive counseling if all of the following criteria are met –
ART was initiated early in or before pregnancy, there is evidence of sustained viral suppression in the parent (HIV viral load <50 copies per mL), the parent demonstrates a commitment to consistently taking their own ART and to giving infant ARV prophylaxis and the parent has continuous ART access.” However even in such a situation the parent needs to be told that risks are reduced and not eliminated with ART.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had recommended against breastfeeding for people with HIV in the United States beginning in 1985. India however has an official policy of allowing all others to breastfeed irrespective of their HIV status provided both mother and baby are on appropriate retroviral medication. This is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation. It is estimated that over 40% of vertical transmission (mother to child) of HIV occurs during breastfeeding in India.
