Distribution of haematological and chemical pathology values among infants in Malawi and Uganda.

Background: Data on paediatric reference laboratory values are limited for sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: To describe the distribution of haematological and chemical pathology values among healthy infants from Malawi and Uganda.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy infants, 0-6 months old, born to HIV-uninfected mothers recruited from two settings in Blantyre, Malawi and Kampala, Uganda.

Effects of cessation of breastfeeding in HIV-1-exposed, uninfected children in Malawi.

Background: We assessed morbidity rates during short intervals that accompanied weaning and cumulative mortality among HIV-exposed, uninfected infants enrolled in the postexposure prophylaxis of infants in Malawi (PEPI-Malawi) trial.

Methods: Women were counseled to stop breastfeeding (BF) by 6 months in the PEPI-Malawi trial. HIV-uninfected infants were included in this analysis starting at age 6 months.

Postexposure prophylaxis of breastfeeding HIV-exposed infants with antiretroviral drugs to age 14 weeks: updated efficacy results of the PEPI-Malawi trial.

Background: This analysis updates and extends efficacy estimates of the PEPI-Malawi trial through age 24 months at study completion in September 2009.

Methods: Infants of breastfeeding HIV-infected women were randomized at birth to the following: (1) single-dose nevirapine (NVP) + 1-week zidovudine (ZDV) (control); (2) control + extended daily NVP (ExtNVP) through 14 weeks; (3) control + extended daily NVP + ZDV (ExtNVP/ZDV) through 14 weeks. We estimated rates of HIV infection, death and HIV infection, or death using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Considerations in using US-based laboratory toxicity tables to evaluate laboratory toxicities among healthy malawian and Ugandan infants.

Objectives: To determine normal hematologic and selected blood chemistry values among healthy, full-term, non-HIV-exposed infants in Uganda and Malawi, and to determine the proportion of healthy babies with an apparent laboratory toxicity based on Division of AIDS toxicity tables.

Design: This was a cross-sectional laboratory study of infants from birth to 6 months of age.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from a total of 561 infants and analyzed according to age categories similar to those in the 2004 Division of AIDS toxicity tables.

Frequency of gastroenteritis and gastroenteritis-associated mortality with early weaning in HIV-1-uninfected children born to HIV-infected women in Malawi.

Background: We assessed gastroenteritis (GE) burden in 2 randomized trials conducted in Malawi to reduce postnatal HIV transmission before and after World Health Organization recommendations regarding exclusive breastfeeding for HIV-exposed infants were adopted. The 2 trials were the nevirapine/AZT (NVAZ, 2000-2003 with prolonged breastfeeding) and the Postexposure Prophylaxis to the Infant (PEPI, 2004-2007 with breastfeeding cessation by 6 months).

Methods: From NVAZ and PEPI trials data, GE frequency through age 12 months among HIV-negative exposed infants was evaluated.

Extended antiretroviral prophylaxis to reduce breast-milk HIV-1 transmission.

Background: Effective strategies are urgently needed to reduce mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) through breast-feeding in resource-limited settings.

Methods: Women with HIV-1 infection who were breast-feeding infants were enrolled in a randomized, phase 3 trial in Blantyre, Malawi. At birth, the infants were randomly assigned to one of three regimens: single-dose nevirapine plus 1 week of zidovudine (control regimen) or the control regimen plus daily extended prophylaxis either with nevirapine (extended nevirapine) or with nevirapine plus zidovudine (extended dual prophylaxis) until the age of 14 weeks.