Infant feeding, HIV transmission and mortality at 18 months: the need for appropriate choices by mothers and prioritization within programmes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the late HIV transmission and survival risks associated with early infant feeding practices.


METHODS
A nonrandomized intervention cohort.


METHODS
HIV-infected pregnant women were supported in their infant feeding choices. Infant feeding data were obtained weekly; blood samples from infants were taken monthly to diagnose HIV infection. Eighteen-month mortality and HIV transmission risk were assessed according to infant feeding practices at 6 months.


RESULTS
One thousand one hundred and ninety-three live-born infants were included. Overall 18-month probabilities of death (95% confidence interval) were 0.04 (0.03-0.06) and 0.53 (0.46-0.60) for HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected children, respectively. The eighteen-month probability of survival was not statistically significantly different for HIV-uninfected infants breastfed or replacement fed from birth. In univariate analysis of infant feeding practices, the probability of HIV-free survival beyond the first 6 months of life in children alive at 6 months was 0.98 (0.89-1.00) amongst infants replacement fed from birth, 0.96 (0.90-0.98; P = 0.25) and 0.91 (0.87-0.94; P = 0.03) in those breastfed for less or more than 6 months, respectively. In multivariable analyses, maternal unemployment and low antenatal CD4 cell count were independently associated with more than three-fold increased risk of infant HIV infection or death.


CONCLUSIONS
Breastfeeding and replacement feeding of HIV-uninfected infants were associated with similar mortality rates at 18 months. However, these findings were amongst mothers and infants who received excellent support to first make, and then practice, appropriate infant feeding choices. For programmes to achieve similar results, the quality of counselling and identification of mothers with low CD4 cell count need to be the targets of improvement strategies.
Rollins
Nigel C
NC
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Congella, South Africa. rollins@ukzn.ac.za
Becquet
Renaud
R
Bland
Ruth M
RM
Coutsoudis
Anna
A
Coovadia
Hoosen M
HM
Newell
Marie-Louise
ML
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D019829:Nevirapine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D019829:Nevirapine