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Mother, Infant and Young Child Nutrition and Malnutrition |
Nutrition in the Context of HIV/AIDS |
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Infant Feeding in the Context of HIV/AIDS
HIV Testing and Follow-up of HIV-exposed Children
- HIV positive mothers should be able to access HIV laboratory tests. Antibody tests are the most widely used HIV diagnostic test and provide reliable evidence of HIV infection in children who are older than 18 months. HIV ELISA and rapid tests are the most
common and do provide (or exclude) evidence of exposure. Virologic tests like PCR technologies can provide reliable evidence in babies aged 4-6 weeks. Infant feeding counselling should be provided at these key points when feeding decisions may be reconsidered.
- Breastfeeding mothers of infants and young children who are known to be HIV-infected should be strongly encouraged to continue breastfeeding.
- HIV-exposed children should receive regular follow-up care while HIV-infected children should access clinical staging and medical care to increase their chances of survival through timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy.
02 January, 2009
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