[HIV/AIDS and Breastfeeding.]

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a pandemic that affects men, women and children, but is increasingly affecting women, especially among reproductive age. This has consequences over vertical transmission during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. This analysis describes the relation between HIV/AIDS and breastfeeding, and the factors that influence the decision mothers living with HIV/AIDS make about the feeding modality they will choose. Also, causes of infant mortality in relation with this problem are described in accordance with international recommendations to prevent mother to child transmission. In this environment where globalization takes place, constant migrations have created a need for health care workers to consider social factors that influence the decision of women living with HIV/AIDS in relation with feeding options for their infants. It is not enough to know the proven risk for HIV/AIDS transmission through breastfeeding, there is a need to be conscious about the dynamic and specific factors each community has.