|
The aim of
the International Code is to:
-
contribute to safe and
adequate nutrition for infants by the protection and promotion of
breastfeeding
-
ensure the proper use
of breastmilk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis
of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution
(Art. 1 of the
Code)
| In the context of
HIV, UNAIDS, WHO and UNICEF agree that it is critical to:
-
protect, promote
and support breastfeeding
-
improve access
to voluntary testing and counselling
-
ensure informed
choice about infant feeding for HIV-positive women
-
prevent commercial
pressures for artificial feeding
|
| |
| Ref
1. WHO Collaborative Study Team on the Role of Breastfeeding
on the Prevention of Infant Mortality. Effect of breastfeeding
on infant and child mortality due to infectious diseases in less
developed countries: a pooled analysis. Lancet 2000, 355: 451-455 |
|
Between one-quarter and one-third
of babies born to women who are tested HIV-positive will be infected
with the virus in utero, during childbirth or through breastfeeding.
Out of 100 women, it is estimated that about four out of seven infants
will be infected during pregnancy or childbirth while three will contract
the virus through breastmilk. The chart shows the relatively small number
that contract the virus through breastfeeding. 97 out of each 100 infants
would benefit from breastfeeding.
Mother-to-child Transmission
of HIV
Of 100
women in a community with 20% HIV prevalence among mothers
 |
A.
80 mothers not infected by HIV
B.
20 mothers HIV - positive. 13 of these will not pass the
virus to their infants
C.
7 mothers transmit the virus to their infants, 4 out of 7 during
pregnancy or delivery
D.
3 out of the 7 mothers will transmit the virus through breastfeeding |
| |
The
competing risks of mother-to-child transmission of HIV through
breastfeeding need therefore to be weighed against the possibly
greater risk of morbidity and mortality from illnesses caused
by not receiving breastmilk. UNICEF estimates that in the last
20 years up to 1.7 million children have contracted HIV through
breastfeeding; a disturbing figure, no doubt. But one must keep
some sense of proportion. During this same period of time 30 million
children have died because they were not breastfed.
|
|
