Maternal mortality unaffected in Botswana trial

New evidence has emerged to counter the view that breastfeeding by HIV-positive mothers can increase mortality.

According to findings presented at the 16th Conference of Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Montreal, there was no difference in mortality rates among mothers with the disease who breast-fed compared to those who bottle-fed.

The study observed 1,200 HIV-positive mothers in Botswana over seven years and found no statistically significant difference in the mortality rates among women who had used either method over.

Researchers had been motivated to look at this issue following a Kenyan study which found a three-fold increase in death among breast-feeding mothers with HIV after they had ceased feeding in this way, as compared to mothers who used a bottle.

"Breastfeeding was not associated with maternal mortality among women with access to HAART [highly-active antiretroviral treatment]," the report concluded.

The World Health Organisation estimates that around 300,000 people in Botswana are currently living with HIV.