Formula-Feeding of HIV-Exposed Uninfected African Children Is Associated with Faster Growth in Length during the First 6 Months of Life in the Kesho Bora Study.

Early feeding patterns may affect the growth of HIV-exposed children and thus their subsequent health and cognition. We assessed the association of infant feeding (IF) mode with length-for-age score (LAZ) and stunting from age 2 d to 18 mo in HIV-exposed African children within a controlled randomized trial, which evaluated triple antiretrovirals initiated during pregnancy and continued for 6 mo postpartum to prevent HIV transmission. HIV-infected pregnant women with CD4 counts of 200-500 cells/mm from Burkina Faso, Kenya, and South Africa were advised to exclusively breastfeed for up to 6 mo or to formula-feed from birth.

Infant feeding modes and determinants among HIV-1-infected African Women in the Kesho Bora Study.

Objective: To assess breastfeeding modes and determinants in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission study.

Design: HIV-1-infected pregnant women from 5 sites in Burkina Faso, Kenya, and South Africa were enrolled in the study that comprised 2 prospective cohorts and 1 randomized controlled trial. Women were counseled to either breastfeed exclusively up to 6 months or formula feed from birth.