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.