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HIV can be transmitted via breast-feeding, but in developing countries, not breast-feeding is associated with increased infant mortality from diarrhea and other diseases.
In South Africa, pregnant women were enrolled in a nonrandomized cohort study to assess HIV transmission and infant survival by type of infant feeding. They received single-dose nevirapine, counseling about feeding options, and postnatal home visits by counselors. The feeding options were exclusive breast-feeding, starting from birth; replacement feeding (nonhuman milk, with or without solids); and mixed breast-feeding (breast milk plus nonhuman milk, other liquids, or solids).
Of the 1372 HIV-infected women, 1132 (83%) chose exclusive breast-feeding. The median duration of …