title: Survival and health benefits of breastfeeding versus artificial feeding in infants of HIV-infected women: developing versus developed world.
abstract: Infant feeding policies for HIV-infected women in developing countries differ from policies in developed countries. This article summarizes the epidemiologic data on the risks and benefits of various infant feeding practices for HIV-infected women living in different contexts. Artificial feeding can prevent a large proportion of mother-to-child HIV transmission but also is associated with increases in morbidity and mortality among exposed-uninfected and HIV-infected children. Antiretroviral drugs can be used during lactation and reduce risks of transmission. For most of the developing world, the health and survival benefits of breastfeeding exceed the risks of HIV transmission, especially when antiretroviral interventions are provided.
authors.affiliation: Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. lk24@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aldrovandi
mesh_terms: D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D015996:Survival Rate