Nevirapine (NVP) Use to Prevent Maternal-Infant HIV Transmission: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Two Doses of NVP Compared to Six Weeks of NVP for the Prevention of Maternal-Infant HIV Transmission in the Breastfeeding Infant

The use of antiretroviral therapy during late pregnancy, intrapartum, and immediately postpartum prevents a high proportion of vertical transmission. Potential means of decreasing HIV transmission through breastfeeding, along with the risks and benefits of early weaning, need to be further evaluated. The potential impact of early weaning interventions on the breastfeeding habits of the HIV uninfected population needs to be considered as well. This study seeks to identify a way to make breastfeeding safe for HIV infected women who choose to breastfeed. A single dose of NVP given to infants of HIV infected mothers appears to provide some protection against vertical transmission. NVP's long half-life allows simple dosing, making it more feasible and affordable to implement in a developing country. This study will determine whether extending the NVP dosing to six weeks will significantly decrease transmission during the first several months of breastfeeding.