Prevention of mother-to-child HTLV-1 transmission
To prevent an infection of HTLV-1 via breastfeeding, with the patient
consent, the first and second babies were fed by short-term (3 months)
breast-feeding and formula-milk, the third baby was fed by exclusive
formula-milk. In HTLV-1-endemic areas, to prevent mother-to-child
transmission, we should inform mothers and their family that extended
breastfeeding links increasing the risk of infection. The rate of
infection is 15.7% among children who have been breastfeeding for more
than 12 months. The mother-to-child transmission rate of complete
formula-milk is 0-5.6%, while of breastfeeding period of six-seven
months or more is 11.3-33.3%.9) It is clear that the
latter has a high infection rate. In some retrospective study in Japan,
the mother-to-child transmission rate with short-term breast-feeding (3
months) was 1.6-8.5%, and its risk ratio compared with that of
exclusive formula feeding was not statistically different.9,10) Even if the mother wishes to breastfeeding, it
is desirable that she should stop it within three months.