Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Started during Pregnancy or Postpartum Suppresses HIV‐1 RNA, but Not DNA, in Breast Milk

Abstract

HAART suppressed cell-free HIV-1 RNA in breast milk and may therefore reduce mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1 via breast-feeding. However, HAART initiated during pregnancy or early after delivery had no apparent effect on cell-associated HIV-1 DNA loads in breast milk. Clinical trials to determine MTCT among breast-feeding women receiving HAART are needed.