Formula feeding is being advocated as a safer option for infants born to HIV-positive mothers in Fiji, as the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding remains a significant concern. Many mothers do not have their viral status confirmed, and medication shortages complicate consistent treatment regimens, increasing the chance of passing the virus during breastfeeding.
During the recent Fiji Medical Conference, Dr. Miriama Thaggard, a Consultant Pediatrician at Labasa Hospital, highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding pediatric HIV in Fiji. Currently, 97 children in the country live with HIV, and about 19% of these cases are attributed to mother-to-child transmission, which is notably above the global target of less than 5% when treatment is appropriately managed. Last year, 84 babies were born to HIV-positive mothers at CWM Hospital, but nearly half of those mothers did not return for follow-up testing. Of those who did, the results indicated a concerning trend where only certain feeding practices appeared to correlate with infection rates—three of the four diagnosed cases were formula-fed, indicating that formula feeding might reduce the transmission risk compared to breastfeeding.
Dr. Thaggard pointed to issues such as poor follow-up care, social stigma, and fragmented healthcare services as significant barriers to effective treatment. A tragic case shared by Dr. Thaggard involved a four-month-old infant who died because the mother concealed her HIV status due to fear of stigma, emphasizing the need for stronger prevention programs and community awareness campaigns.
Previous discussions by other health professionals, including Dr. Rachael Devi, Head of Family Health at the Ministry of Health, reiterated the importance of antiretroviral therapy in drastically reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Education about the effectiveness of treatment, early testing during pregnancy, and community involvement in these efforts are essential in decreasing transmission rates and improving the health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
This situation calls for immediate and cohesive action from the community and health authorities to ensure improved support for HIV-positive mothers and successful prevention of transmission to future generations. The encouragement of formula feeding serves as a significant step in the right direction to protect vulnerable infants from the risks associated with breastfeeding in these circumstances.
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