Breastfeeding and HIV infection in China

Abstract

Breast milk is the ideal food source for human infants, and breastfeeding is known to have many beneficial effects for both infants and mothers including providing proper nutrition, supporting the infant immune system, enhancing mother-infant bonding, and providing a decreased risk for maternal breast and ovarian cancer [1-5]. Longer term benefits of breastfeeding have also been observed including decreased risk of asthma and diabetes later in life [4]. However, breastfeeding carries a significant risk of transmission of HIV-1 (further referred to as HIV), especially in late stages of maternal disease [6-8]. In order to avoid transmitting HIV postnatally, women with HIV infection have been advised to avoid breastfeeding under certain conditions [9]. China has adopted a national policy of recommending replacement feeding for HIV-infected mothers where replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable, and safe (AFASS) [10] through the national prevention of mother-to-child transmission of (PMTCT) HIV program. In 2008, 89% of the population were reported to have access to improved water sources [11], and AFASS conditions are met in most localities in China except certain remote, mountainous, and/or ethnic minority areas. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.