Page 28 - EUREKA 2019_Neat

HEALTH SCIENCES
Marina White

Babies born to mothers infected with HIV may in placentae and breast milk with later health
face related health problems later, even if the outcomes, such as delayed neurodevelopment
babies don’t contract HIV. Due to increasing use and below-average weight. They aim to use
of antiretrovirals, the proportion of such babies biological markers to predict outcomes in these
is rising. However, information on their health babies, and aim to uncover differences in breast
outcomes is scarce. milk, placenta, and patterns of development in
“The research that’s coming out now is infants exposed to HIV in the womb or during
suggesting that they are still vulnerable to breastfeeding compared to unexposed babies.
poorer development, compared to babies who As part of this project, White gave a
are not exposed,” says Health Sciences master’s presentation about the importance of patient
student Marina White. She is working with her engagement in research at the Siyakhula
supervisor, Prof. Kristin Connor, on a worldwide Collaborative Workshop in Pretoria in November
team investigating this topic in South Africa. 2018, and spent three months working with the
The team is working to link biological markers team, mothers, and babies in South Africa.

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