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Which disease is contraindicated for breastfeeding?

Understanding Contraindications for Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is widely recognized for its numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers. However, certain medical conditions can pose risks, making breastfeeding contraindicated. Understanding these contraindications is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of both mother and child.
Key Contraindications
1. HIV Infection: In developed countries, untreated HIV is considered an absolute contraindication to breastfeeding. The virus can be transmitted through breast milk, posing significant health risks to the infant. While antiretroviral therapy can reduce the risk of transmission, the safest approach remains to avoid breastfeeding altogether if the mother is not effectively treated.
2. Active Tuberculosis: Mothers with untreated active tuberculosis should refrain from breastfeeding. The bacteria responsible for tuberculosis can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, and while the risk through breast milk is minimal, the overall health of the mother and the potential for other forms of transmission necessitate caution.
3. Certain Infectious Diseases: Other infectious diseases, such as venereal diseases, can also contraindicate breastfeeding. The concern here is not only about the direct transmission through milk but also the overall health implications for the mother and the infant.
4. Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV): Mothers who are carriers of HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 should avoid breastfeeding. These viruses can be transmitted through breast milk and may lead to serious health issues for the infant.
5. Substance Abuse: Mothers who use illicit drugs or are dependent on substances that could harm the infant are advised against breastfeeding. The potential for harmful substances to pass into breast milk poses significant risks to the infant’s health.
6. Certain Genetic Conditions in Infants: Conditions such as galactosemia and phenylketonuria in infants are also contraindications for breastfeeding. These metabolic disorders require special dietary management that breast milk cannot provide.
Conclusion
While breastfeeding is encouraged for its myriad benefits, specific health conditions can necessitate caution or outright avoidance. Mothers diagnosed with untreated HIV, active tuberculosis, or certain infectious diseases, as well as those who use illicit drugs, should consult healthcare professionals to determine the safest feeding options for their infants. Understanding these contraindications helps ensure that both mother and child remain healthy and safe during the breastfeeding journey.

What illnesses should you not breastfeed?

When Should I Not Breastfeed My Baby?

  • If the mother has been infected with HIV or has AIDS.
  • Many medications taken by the mother may pass onto the baby via breast milk.
  • Mothers with cancer who are taking cancer chemotherapy medications also cannot breastfeed their babies.

Who is not suitable for breastfeeding?

Women undergoing chemotherapy treatments that interfere with DNA replication and cell division should not breastfeed. Women receiving radiation therapies though can breastfeed with some interruption. Has an illicit drug dependency.

What is a certain disease condition which is contraindicated for breastfeeding?

The only true contraindications to breastfeeding are the following: Infants with classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency) Mothers, in the US, who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), untreated brucellosis, or suspected or confirmed Ebola virus disease.

Which condition is an absolute contraindication for breastfeeding?

HIV is the only infection that is an absolute contraindication in developed countries. Galactosemia is the only infant disease and there are a few medications that are contraindicated.

What are the contraindications for breastfeeding?

Medical Contraindications for Breastfeeding
There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.

Which of the following conditions is contraindicated for breastfeeding?

The only true contraindications to breastfeeding are the following: infants with classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency) mothers, in the US, who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Which condition is an absolute contraindication?

Absolute contraindications are contraindications for which there are no reasonable circumstances for undertaking a course of action (that is, overriding the prohibition). For example: Children and teenagers with viral infections should not be given aspirin because of the risk of Reye syndrome.

In which disease is breastfeeding contraindicated?

There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.

What condition is unable to breastfeed?

Insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) — or hypoplasia of the mammary gland — is a condition where the mammary tissue of the breast is supplanted by fatty tissue. It’s one of the main causes of primary lactation failure, or the failure to ever produce enough milk.

Is breastfeeding contraindicated in diabetes?

Can I breastfeed if I have diabetes? Having diabetes should not stop you from breastfeeding yourbaby. However, there are a few points worth thinking about if you are going to make sure that you combine good blood sugar control whilst coping with the demands of a new baby.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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