Pre-chewing baby's food could pass on HIV

An HIV-positive mother can pass on the virus to her baby by chewing her child's food first, US scientists have warned.

US government scientists have identified three cases where the Aids virus has been assed on in this way, between 1993 and 2004.

Presenting their research in Boston, the scientists from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that blood present in the saliva was the cause of the transmission.

The researchers wrote: "Pre-mastication is a newly recognised route for HIV transmission that warrants further investigation in order to continue reducing cases of HIV transmission in the US," reports Reuters.

"The findings could have more significant implications for developing countries.

"The researchers advise that health care providers and HIV-infected child caregivers should be aware of the potential health risks and should advise those caregivers against the practice of pre-chewing food for their infants."

Pre-chewing food is a practice sometimes adopted by mothers in developing countries who do not have access to packaged baby food or blending equipment.

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