Study Finds Low Levels of HIV Drugs in Breast Milk
Researchers found infants received only small amounts of their mothers' antiretroviral medication through breast milk, with no detectable HIV in infants.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Babies
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A study published October 20, 2026, in JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes found infants received low levels of mothers' HIV drugs through breast milk. The relative infant dose stayed below the safety threshold for every drug for which it could be calculated, and no infant had detectable HIV RNA during or after breastfeeding.
Why it matters
The findings address a key concern for women living with HIV who want to breastfeed, and the authors said the data should reassure women and their healthcare professionals. The study adds evidence on how much maternal antiretroviral medication reaches infants through breast milk.
The study measured drug levels in 16 prospective mother-infant pairs and five retrospective participants, with the highest relative infant dose at 6.94% for efavirenz and 0.94% for dolutegravir. The sample was small, and the study does not report long-term infant outcomes.
The players
Radboud University Medical Center
A large academic hospital in Nijmegen, Netherlands, that led the multicenter study on antiretroviral drug transfer through breast milk.
JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
A peer-reviewed medical journal that publishes research on HIV and related immune disorders.
The details
Researchers measured drug levels in maternal plasma, pumped breast milk, and infant plasma, collected at routine monthly visits starting at one month postpartum. Maternal plasma viral load remained suppressed throughout, and no infant was born small for gestational age, though one newborn had trisomy 21 with congenital cardiac malformations requiring surgery.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Study published online in JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes.
One month postpartum: Sample collection began at routine monthly visits.
Health Landscape
The study adds direct drug-level measurements to the ongoing effort to define safe breastfeeding practices for women on antiretroviral therapy. It builds on prior guidance by showing that infant drug exposure through breast milk remains below safety thresholds in this sample.
For women living with HIV who are considering breastfeeding, the study reports that infant exposure to maternal drugs stayed below safety thresholds in the sample studied. Women should continue to discuss feeding decisions and drug regimens with their healthcare providers.
The takeaway
The study suggests breast milk carries only small amounts of maternal HIV drugs to infants in this sample, which may help women and clinicians weigh breastfeeding decisions. Discussing individual circumstances with a healthcare professional remains important.
Further reading
Explore more on Babies for related context on infant health and feeding.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
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Would you feel comfortable breastfeeding your baby while taking HIV medication?
