HIV Exposure and Formula Feeding Predict Under-2 Mortality in HIV-Uninfected Children, Botswana

To prospectively assess rates and detailed predictors of morbidity and mortality among HIV-exposed uninfected children and HIV-unexposed children in Botswana in a more recent era. We enrolled HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected mothers and their children in the prospective observational Tshipidi study at 2 sites (1 city and 1 village) in Botswana from May 2010-July 2012. Live-born children and their mothers were followed for 24 months postpartum. Detailed sociodemographic data, health, and psychosocial characteristics were collected at baseline and prospectively, and health outcomes ascertained. Mothers chose infant feeding method with counselling. A total of 893 live-born HIV-uninfected children (436 HIV-exposed uninfected, 457 HIV-unexposed) were followed. HIV-infected mothers had a median CD4 count of 410 cells/mm3, 32% took 3-drug antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy, 67% took only zidovudine, and 1% took