Which condition is contraindicated for breastfeeding due to infant health concerns?

Which condition is contraindicated for breastfeeding due to infant health concerns?

• A. Maternal hypertension
• B. Infant with classic galactosemia
• C. Active Tuberculosis
• D. Maternal HIV positive status

Answer: (B)

The condition that is contraindicated for breastfeeding due to infant health concerns is when an infant has classic galactosemia. Classic galactosemia is a genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to process the sugar galactose, which is found in breast milk and many other dairy products. Infants with this condition cannot metabolize galactose properly, leading to potentially serious health issues such as liver damage, intellectual disability, and cataracts if they consume breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended for these infants to prevent the ingestion of galactose. In contrast, while maternal hypertension, active tuberculosis, and maternal HIV positive status do pose risks and might require specific management or precautions during breastfeeding, they do not outright contraindicate breastfeeding in the same way as classic galactosemia does for the infant. Mothers with hypertension can still breastfeed with appropriate management, those with active tuberculosis can use precautions, and many mothers with HIV can breastfeed under specific conditions, particularly where safe alternatives are unavailable.

The condition that is contraindicated for breastfeeding due to infant health concerns is when an infant has classic galactosemia. Classic galactosemia is a genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to process the sugar galactose, which is found in breast milk and many other dairy products. Infants with this condition cannot metabolize galactose properly, leading to potentially serious health issues such as liver damage, intellectual disability, and cataracts if they consume breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended for these infants to prevent the ingestion of galactose.

In contrast, while maternal hypertension, active tuberculosis, and maternal HIV positive status do pose risks and might require specific management or precautions during breastfeeding, they do not outright contraindicate breastfeeding in the same way as classic galactosemia does for the infant. Mothers with hypertension can still breastfeed with appropriate management, those with active tuberculosis can use precautions, and many mothers with HIV can breastfeed under specific conditions, particularly where safe alternatives are unavailable.