Abstract

HIV is the world's leading killer in Sub-Saharan Africa. WHO estimates that as many as 700,000 infants are born each year to HIV-positive mothers (WHO, 2008). Assuming that mothers receive anti-retrovirals to prevent perinatal transmission, their infants still face a risk of around 15% (based on region) of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV through breastfeeding. This risk has been difficult to address. Researchers' estimates of babies infected from breast milk range from approximately 50,000 to 150,000 (Mofeson et al., 2008). Mothers need a way to kill HIV in breast milk that is practical and allows normal breastfeeding. The JustMilk team was formed at the 2008 International Development Design Summit held at MIT. Here, the team consisting of five recent or current college students and a medical researcher developed a novel, low-cost Nipple Shield device to be used by HIV-positive mothers to prevent MTCT of HIV through breastfeeding. The device kills HIV in breast milk without disrupting breastfeeding. To date, we have developed prototypes of our device and have demonstrated the virucidal properties of SDS against HIV. The since expanded team is currently optimizing an SDS sustained release formulation that will release an adequate concentration of SDS into breast milk during several feeding sessions over a 12- to 24-hour period. To aid in the device design, acceptability studies to access maternal impressions/ opinions about the Nipple Shield device in the target markets such as Kenya are underway.

Submission Document

Learn More

Visit http://justmilk.org

Email team@justmilk.org