A study of feeding practices among infants born to HIV-infected mothers and its association with morbidity in infants

Abstract

<b>Context:</b> Globally, 2.3 million children have been victims of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as of December 2006. Transmission through breastfeeding (BF) is estimated to account for one third to one half of all these pediatric HIV infections. <b>Aim:</b> To study the feeding practices followed by HIV-infected mothers in Mumbai. <b>Settings and Design:</b> It is a prospective observational type of study conducted in a tertiary care hospital with antiretroviral treatment center for a period of one year. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The study was reviewed and approved by the ethical committee of the hospital. Babies aged 0 to 9 months and born to HIV-positive mothers who are brought to integrated HIV outpatient department were included in the study. <b>Statistical Analysis Used:</b> The data entry and analysis was done using SPSS 15 package, Microsoft Excel 2003, and Epi Info. <b>Results:</b> As per the findings of this study, proportion of exclusive BF was 34.2%, top feeding was 42.1%, and mix feeding (MF) was 23.7%. Diarrhea occurred more frequently in mix-fed infants (53.6%) as compared to exclusively breast-fed infants (2.5%) and top-fed infants (12.7%). The percentage of infants who were exclusively breast fed and had normal weight for age was 53.8%. Moderately malnourished infants were 30.8% and 15.4% of infants were severely malnourished. The percentage of severe malnutrition was more in top-fed and mix-fed infants (23.4% and 32.1%, respectively). <b>Conclusion:</b> MF was associated with increased risk of diarrhea and acute respiratory infection. Top-fed and mix-fed infants were more likely to suffer from infectious diseases.