Feeding HIV-exposed infants

Landon Myer

doi:10.4102/sajhivmed.v12i4.162

Abstract

The most appropriate strategies for feeding HIV-exposed infants have been a source of great debate in South Africa for years. During this time policy makers, healthcare providers and (most importantly) mothers living with HIV infection have been concerned and sometimes confused about what is best for the HIV-exposed but uninfected infant.

Highlights

Over the past few months, the announcement of a new national policy promoting breastfeeding with daily nevirapine prophylaxis for infants has presented a single, unified policy for services across the country
FEEDING HIV-EXPOSED INFANTS The most appropriate strategies for feeding HIV-exposed infants have been a source of great debate in South Africa for years. During this time policy makers, healthcare providers and mothers living with HIV infection have been concerned and sometimes confused about what is best for the HIV-exposed but uninfected infant
Dr Saloojee was one of the participants in the Johannesburg debate, and I hope that this opinion piece will help generate productive discussions on a topic that clearly remains unresolved. (Note that opinion pieces that include other perspectives on the new infant feeding policies were solicited, but unavailable at the time of going to press – we hope these will be available for the issue.)

Summary

Introduction

Over the past few months, the announcement of a new national policy promoting breastfeeding with daily nevirapine prophylaxis for infants has presented a single, unified policy for services across the country. During this time policy makers, healthcare providers and (most importantly) mothers living with HIV infection have been concerned and sometimes confused about what is best for the HIV-exposed but uninfected infant. This is leading to the rapid cessation of replacement feeding provided through the public sector to HIV-infected mothers and their infants.

Results

Conclusion