GuidelinesOther guideline
Prophylaxis for the HIV-Exposed Infant During Breastfeeding
Maternal VL monitoring should happen 6-monthly during breastfeeding. At every visit, check the results of the mother’s most recent VL. An elevated maternal VL during breastfeeding may require an infant HIV PCR to be done and higher-risk infant prophylaxis to be started, re-started, or extended The following are situations in which a mother’s VL may be elevated. These situations are therefo
| Maternal VL monitoring should happen 6-monthly during breastfeeding. At every visit, check the results of the mother’s most recent VL. An elevated maternal VL during breastfeeding may require an infant HIV PCR to be done and higher-risk infant prophylaxis to be started, re-started, or extended |
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| The following are situations in which a mother’s VL may be elevated. These situations are therefore indications to provide higher-risk infant prophylaxis during breastfeeding: 1. A new HIV diagnosis while breastfeeding 2. A mother on ART with her most recent VL ≥ 50 c/mL 3. A mother who is HIV positive but not on ART |
Infant prophylaxis to be provided: - AZT twice daily for six weeks. - NVP daily for a minimum of 12 weeks. |
Remember to adjust NVP dosages according to weight (See “Dosing Charts for Prophylaxis for the HIV-Exposed Infant”) |
| Go to “Management of a High Maternal Viral Load after Delivery” | ||
South African National Department of Health, Guideline for Vertical Transmission Prevention of Communicable Infections, Version 2_August 2023