BREAST MILK AS A VEHICLE OF TRANSMISSION OF VIRUS

Introduction: breast milk, besides being a source of feeding for children, it can be a vehicle for transmission of some infectious diseases. Aim: to revise the main viral agents which can be acquired for children through breast milk and its possible clinical implication. Material: literature search was made in different databases and books. Results: date on the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2, human T-Iymphotropic virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis A, B and C virus, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus and other viruses are exposed in detail. Conclusions: the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2, human T-Iymphotropic virus and cytomegalovirus in preterm newborns or low birth weight are the most frequent viruses that cause infection or illness in children as a result of its transmission through breast milk. For other viruses, such as varicella zoster, hepatitis A or hepatitis B, the immunoprophylaxis of the newborn, through the administration of immunoglobulin and vaccine, protect children against their transmission.