Researchers concluded that HIV-exposed and
HIV-positive infants might need the protective immunities and nutrition
provided by breastfeeding more than non-exposed infants. Mortality risk was
also associated with early breastfeeding cessation in HIV-positive infants.
In Kampala, Uganda, researchers found an
association between breastfeeding cessation and serious
cases of gastroenteritis among HIV-exposed infants. In the study, rates of
serious gastroenteritis risk doubled from
the breastfeeding period until three months post-weaning compared with rates
from another trial of
breastfeeding infants
with no abrupt cessation. Infant deaths rose significantly within the three
months after breastfeeding cessation. All deaths were in the post-weaning
period; survival were reported in the breastfeeding period.