Understanding practices of lactation and infant feeding together with women with HIV: the UPLIFT observational study protocol - Report - MDSpire

Understanding practices of lactation and infant feeding together with women with HIV: the UPLIFT observational study protocol

  • By

  • Christiana Smith

  • Emily Anne Barr

  • Karen Hampanda

  • Mark Trumbull

  • Hulin Wu

  • Jennifer McKinney

  • Sarah Buisson

  • Carly Hoffmann

  • Ciarra Brown

  • Angela B. Hutchinson

  • K. Rivet Amico

  • Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu

  • Elizabeth J. McFarland

  • Margaret A. Lampe

  • Preetam A. Cholli

  • Olga Varechtchouk

  • Allahna Esber

  • Athena P. Kourtis

  • Lisa Abuogi

  • July 8, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Exploring Lactation and Infant Feeding Approaches Among Women with HIV

Overview

The UPLIFT study aims to address knowledge gaps in infant feeding practices among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in the U.S. by exploring decision-making processes and establishing a longitudinal cohort.

Background

Recent updates to U.S. guidelines now support breastfeeding for virally suppressed women on antiretroviral treatment, reflecting evidence of low HIV transmission rates through breastfeeding among these women.

Data Highlights

The UPLIFT study will enroll 450 WLHIV-infant dyads and conduct in-depth interviews with 50 WLHIV, their partners, and 45 healthcare professionals.

Key Findings

  • The UPLIFT study will explore infant feeding decision-making through interviews and surveys.
  • It aims to establish a longitudinal cohort to examine infant feeding practices and outcomes over 48 weeks.
  • Clinical and laboratory data will be collected, including HIV RNA and DNA in breast milk.
  • The study will estimate costs and benefits of breastfeeding versus replacement feeding.

Clinical Implications

Understanding the motivations and experiences of WLHIV can enhance support for informed infant feeding decisions.

Conclusion

The UPLIFT study aims to generate insights regarding infant feeding among women living with HIV.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 2026 -- Multi-disciplinary support of infant feeding choice for parents living with HIV: experience across a guideline change
  2. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 2026 -- Infant feeding decisions among people living with human immunodeficiency virus in the United States: a pilot study
  3. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 2026 -- Breastfeeding practices and perspectives in the setting of maternal HIV in high-income countries since the shift in the United States national guidelines: a scoping review
  4. NIH, What's New: Perinatal HIV Clinical Guidelines
  5. BMJ Paediatrics Open — Challenges during clinical lactation studies investigating medicines exposure: experiences from the UmbrelLACT study – a contribution from the ConcePTION project
  6. What's New: Perinatal HIV Clinical Guidelines | NIH
  7. Estimating the effect of maternal viral load on perinatal and postnatal HIV transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis - ScienceDirect
  8. BHIVA guidelines on the management of HIV in pregnancy and the postpartum period 2025

Original Source(s)

Understanding practices of lactation and infant feeding together with women with HIV: the UPLIFT observational study protocol

  • by Christiana Smith, Emily Anne Barr, Karen Hampanda, Mark Trumbull, Hulin Wu, Jennifer McKinney, Sarah Buisson, Carly Hoffmann, Ciarra Brown, Angela B. Hutchinson, K. Rivet Amico, Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu, Elizabeth J. McFarland, Margaret A. Lampe, Preetam A. Cholli, Olga Varechtchouk, Allahna Esber, Athena P. Kourtis, Lisa Abuogi

  • July 8, 2026

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