Stopping breastfeeding to prevent vertical transmission of HTLV-1 in resource-poor settings: beneficial or harmful?

Excerpt

In a recent issue of this journal Mylonas et al. [1] reviewed human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection and its implications in gynecology and obstetrics. Although HTLV-1 is rare in many populations, it occurs worldwide and is associated with a substantial disease burden and a high risk of vertical transmission. The authors provide recommendations for prevention of sexual and vertical transmission of HTLV-1. One of the recommendations is the following: ‘If stopping breastfeeding is not possible, for example due to socio-economical circumstances, short-term breastfeeding for 3 to a maximum of 6 months should be advocated’. The recommendation in the review is based on two studies from Japan showing reductions of vertical transmission by limiting or avoiding breastfeeding. To our knowledge, no international guidelines exist (e.g. from the WHO or CDC) on breastfeeding and HTLV-1 prevention in resource-poor, developing countries. Therefore, it is important to carefully take into account the risks versus the benefits of advocating short-term breastfeeding in developing countries. …