International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Breast milk may contain ingredients that could curb the spread of HIV/Aids, a new study has suggested.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine recently discovered that infants who are breastfed are less likely to develop the infection than those who are not.

The institution therefore believes breast milk may contain an element that could lead to the development of a treatment for the condition.

Professor J Victor Garcia, senior author of the study, said the findings provide "new leads for the isolation of natural products that could be used to combat the virus".

He stated that the study gave scientists a "significant insight" into breast milk's "amazing ability" to destroy HIV and stop it being transmitted.

Dr Garcia added that learning how HIV is transmitted to infants despite the milk's "protective effects" should enable researchers to "close this important door to the spread of AIDS".

According to data from the World Health Organization, 34 million people around the world were living with the condition during 2010.

Posted by Alexandra George