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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Mar;31(2):134-143.
doi: 10.1111/ppe.12337. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

Effect of Postnatal HIV Treatment on Clinical Mastitis and Breast Inflammation in HIV-Infected Breast-feeding Women

Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of Postnatal HIV Treatment on Clinical Mastitis and Breast Inflammation in HIV-Infected Breast-feeding Women

Sabrina Zadrozny et al. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Background: The relationship between mastitis and antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive, breast-feeding women is unclear.

Methods: In the Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals, and Nutrition (BAN) study, conducted in Lilongwe, Malawi, 2369 mother-infant pairs were randomized to a nutritional supplement group and to one of three treatment groups: maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART), infant nevirapine (NVP) or standard of care for 24 weeks of exclusive breast-feeding and 4 weeks of weaning. Among 1472 HIV-infected women who delivered live infants between 2004 and 2007, we estimated cumulative incidence functions and sub-distribution hazard ratios (HR) of mastitis or breast inflammation comparing women in maternal ART (n = 487) or infant nevirapine (n = 492) groups to the standard of care (n = 493). Nutritional supplement groups (743 took, 729 did not) were also compared.

Results: Through 28-weeks post-partum, 102 of 1472 women experienced at least one occurrence of mastitis or breast inflammation. The 28-week risk was higher for maternal ART (risk difference (RD) 4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9, 8.1) and infant NVP (RD 3.6, 95% CI 0.3, 6.9) compared to standard of care. The hazard of late-appearing mastitis or breast inflammation (from week 5-28) was also higher for maternal ART (HR 6.7, 95% CI 2.0, 22.6) and infant NVP (HR 5.1, 95% CI 1.5, 17. 5) compared to the standard of care.

Conclusions: Mastitis or breast inflammation while breast-feeding is a possible side effect for women taking prophylactic ART and women whose infants take NVP, warranting additional research in the context of postnatal HIV transmission.

Keywords: Mastitis; breast-feeding; human immunodeficiency virus; infant nevirapine; prophylactic antiretroviral therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence of symptoms of breast inflammation in the first 28 weeks after delivery among HIV-infected breastfeeding women in Lilongwe, Malawi *Fewer than five women at any given visit presented with the following symptoms, which were not included in the above figure: Tender Lumps, Tender Axilla Nodes, Nipple Bleeding, Nipple Rash, Nipple Exudates, Breast Sores and Areola Sores
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cumulative incidence estimates for mastitis or breast inflammation, comparing 2a) maternal ART, infant NVP and standard of care and 2b) nutritional supplement versus no nutritional supplement

References

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