United States – A major policy shift has been made for the first time by the AAP in breastfeeding for women with HIV. AP: New Policy Breathes Life for Moms with HIV on ARVs.
Reduced Transmission Risk
Pediatric HIV specialist Lisa Abuogi at the University of Colorado says that recent developments in ARV drugs have helped reduce transmission of the disease through breast milk to rates of less than 1%. such a significant decline in the rate of transmission reflects the effectiveness of current treatment protocols and the significance of HIV patients taking regular medications.
Emphasis on Shared Decision-Making
One of the main changes in the new AAP recommendations concerns the emphasis on the role of shared decision-making by healthcare providers and HIV-positive mothers. The AAP focuses on the role of ART in controlling VL while at the same embracing the benefits of breastfeeding not only to the mother and child but also the whole family the AAP enables mothers to make informed decisions about feeding their babies.
In order to reduce the chances of HIV transmission to the child the mother is supposed to breastfeed the child for the first six months. This recommendation conforms with global health standards and emphasizes the role of nutrition and immunity in the first days of life.
Historical Context and Impact:
The recommendation by AAP in relation to breastfeeding for HIV-positive mothers is way apart from the one issued in the early 1980s. Breastfeeding by HIV-positive mothers was strongly discouraged in the past due to the fear of infant transmission of the virus. However, new medical literature and technology have necessitated the reevaluation of this approach, but in light of the associated benefits and risks of breastfeeding in this population to the RNA by Associated Press.
Patient Advocacy and Support
In addition to the potential benefits for patients, the AAP’s recent changes in policy indicate a broader wave of patient-directed care and patient-empowerment efforts in the health care system. The AAP’s decision to place greater emphasis on the need to allow HIV-positive mothers to make informed decisions regarding infant feeding further integrates patient-centered care into maternal and child healthcare.