HIV Transmission Through Breastfeeding

Abstract

Mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can occur in utero, intrapartum, and postnatally.^1,2 Postnatal HIV transmission through HIV-contaminated breast milk is of particular concern in many developing countries, where HIV infection in women is common and breastfeeding is almost universally practiced. Transmission of HIV through breast milk has been documented in many studies,^3-12 and HIV has been found in breast milk samples of HIV-infected women.^13-16