September 1, 2011 In a new study in South Africa, more than two-
thirds of mothers and caregivers reported pre-chewing food for
their infants, a practice that could put the babies at risk of
HIV if the caregiver is infected. The research, led by Dr. Elke
Maritz of Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Children's
Hospital in Cape Town, did not prove a link between pre-chewing
and new HIV infections in infants. It does, however, demonstrate
the need to warn caregivers about the risks of the practice,
particularly in areas with high rates of HIV and hepatitis B. In
their introduction, the authors noted that while "premastication
of food for weaning infants might have nutritional benefits, it
is also associated with transmission of pathogens." In addition
to Africa, the practice has been reported in the United States
and Latin America. The team adapted a previously reported
questionnaire to collect data from a convenience sample of
infant caregivers recruited at public maternal/pediatric
clinics, HIV clinics, and