Abstract

Background: Despite the benefits of breastfeeding as against the risk of formula feeding to HIV-exposed infants and proficient counseling to HIV seropositive mothers, some may still opt for breast milk substitutes. Knowledge of common morbidities could help first contact physicians anticipate and plan for their care, especially in the context of a family.
Objective: To determine the most common morbidities associated with HIV-exposed formula-fed infants on antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis.
Materials and Methods: A total of 65 HIV-exposed infants born to HIV seropositive women on highly active ARV therapy were consecutively recruited and followed up in a cohort from birth to 6 weeks of age.
Results: The babies had varying range of morbidities. Rate of vertical transmission was observed to be 1.5% whereas that of infant mortality was 0% at 6 weeks of age; no morbidity was observed in 26 (40.0%) infants. However, 27 (41.53%) infants had respiratory tract infection, 3 (4.62%) had diarrhea, 3 (4.62%) had ophthalmia neonatorum, and another 3 (4.62%) had malaria. No infant in the study was found to have more than one disease symptom. The cumulative frequency of infants that were sick at 6 weeks of age was 39 (60.0%) whereas the mortality rate at 6 weeks of age in the study was 0% despite varying morbidities. Conclusion: Upper respiratory tract infection, ophthalmia neonatorum, and diarrhea were found to be the most common morbidities associated with HIV-exposed formula-fed infants on ARV prophylaxis.