Characteristics of Mother, Child Linked to Postnatal HIV Transmission Risk

Abstract

The large majority of childhood cases of HIV-1 infection are acquired from the childs mother whether before during or after birth. This paper presents the results of a study identifying the risk factors in mothers and children that place a child at particularly high risk for contracting HIV after birth and that are amenable to intervention. Researchers in Nairobi Kenya followed 412 children born to seropositive mothers at a large maternity hospital with 871 infants born to seronegative women forming a control group. The HIV status of the mother and child were determined at the time of delivery; at frequent follow-up clinic visits clinicians rechecked HIV status performed CD4 cell counts and examined both mother and baby. Overall findings reveal that the effects of low maternal CD4 cell count infant oral thrush before 6 months of age breast feeding for more than 15 months and maternal mastitis or breast lesions are significantly linked to postnatal HIV transmission risk. The analysis indicated however that children who are breast fed for more than 15 months did not have the same increased risk of infection from maternal nipple or breast lesions as did those who were weaned before that point. Based on the findings researchers suggest that treating infants against thrush at birth and counseling mothers on ways to prevent nipple cracking and to seek prompt treatment for the condition could lower the risk of HIV infection. Moreover researchers stress that the most effective means is the prevention of maternal infection.