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. 2010 Jan;53(1):6-13.
doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181bd5a47.

Frequency of gastroenteritis and gastroenteritis-associated mortality with early weaning in HIV-1-uninfected children born to HIV-infected women in Malawi

George Kafulafula  1 , Donald R Hoover, Taha E Taha, Michael Thigpen, Qing Li, Mary Glenn Fowler, Newton I Kumwenda, Kondwani Nkanaunena, Linda Mipando, Lynne M Mofenson
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Frequency of gastroenteritis and gastroenteritis-associated mortality with early weaning in HIV-1-uninfected children born to HIV-infected women in Malawi

George Kafulafula et al. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2010 Jan.

Abstract

Background: We assessed gastroenteritis (GE) burden in 2 randomized trials conducted in Malawi to reduce postnatal HIV transmission before and after World Health Organization recommendations regarding exclusive breastfeeding for HIV-exposed infants were adopted. The 2 trials were the nevirapine/AZT (NVAZ, 2000-2003 with prolonged breastfeeding) and the Postexposure Prophylaxis to the Infant (PEPI, 2004-2007 with breastfeeding cessation by 6 months).

Methods: From NVAZ and PEPI trials data, GE frequency through age 12 months among HIV-negative exposed infants was evaluated. Overall and GE-related cumulative mortality rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves.

Results: The frequency of at least one GE-related hospitalization was greater in PEPI vs. NVAZ after age 6 months (respectively, 2.9% vs. 0.1%, at 7-9 months and 1.6% vs. 0.2% at 10-12 months, P < 0.001). Cumulative GE-related mortality was significantly higher in PEPI than in NVAZ after age 6 months; at ages 9 and 12 months GE-related mortality was 19 and 24 per 1000 infants in PEPI vs. 7 and 12 per 1000 infants in NVAZ (P = 0.0002).

Conclusions: Early weaning was associated with increased risk of severe GE and GE-related mortality among HIV-exposed infants. Strategies are urgently needed which allow longer breastfeeding while reducing the risk of HIV breast milk transmission in resource-limited settings.

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