Baby food squash with a mouth can transmit the disease

Crush food habits that will be given to infants by mouth with food squash mother could actually result in disease transmission. That is why this practice should be avoided, especially if the parents are HIV positive.

Research in South Africa found that more than two-thirds of mothers and caregivers who squash food for their babies, causing the babies at risk of contracting HIV if the mother or caregiver is also HIV positive.

In the study revealed, the mothers or caregivers who are suffering from bleeding gums and canker sores problems also cause blood-borne food squash in advance so that a transmission path, especially if the child is in a phase of teething or have sores in her mouth.

Dr. Aditya Gaur, of St.. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, who was not involved in the study argued, the results of this study could be a warning to stop the need to soften the food habits of the mother's mouth before feeding the baby. As is known squash food habits is the custom in many countries.

"Future studies should be made to see how much risk squash practice these foods can lead to disease transmission," he said.

Meanwhile, a recent study led by Dr. Elke Maritz from Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Children's Hospital in Cape Town, can not prove a link between the transmission of HIV infection in infants with food squash .

However, he said, the parents or caregivers still need to be careful about the risk of disease that can be generated, especially in areas with high rates of HIV and hepatitis B the highest.

In his research Maritz and colleagues have interviewed the baby sitter 154, most of whom are mothers (which is in the waiting room of HIV, pediatric clinics and home-based caregivers).

The result is known that, more than two-thirds of them, or about 106 caregivers say always chew the food in their mouths first before being given to infants. About 55 of them were known to have bleeding gums or sores in the mouth. Even as many as 41 people claimed to see blood in the food that they chew to give to babies.

"The report on the discovery of blood mixed in the diet should be a concern, especially because the baby often experience lesions on the mouth," said Maritz.

A number of caregivers who practice food squash said, it is done just to test and taste the food so the baby is easier to process food. In fact, they regard it as a custom drop down.

Researchers assume that most among caregivers may not know the risks that might arise. Nevertheless Maritz squash assess the food could have a positive impact. For example in the family who can not afford to buy food for her baby soft. But it must be realized also the risk of disease transmission from these practices. (RTR)