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Breast feeding and respiratory morbidity in infancy: a birth cohort study
W H Oddy1, P D Sly, N H de Klerk
1Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Perth, WA, 6872 Australia. wendyo@ichr.uwa.edu.au
Insights
Extended breastfeeding, for at least six months of predominant and up to one year of partial breastfeeding, significantly reduces infant respiratory illnesses and infections. This supports longer breastfeeding duration for improved child health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Infant respiratory illnesses and infections are significant causes of morbidity.
- The role of breastfeeding duration in preventing infant respiratory morbidity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the duration of breastfeeding and the incidence of respiratory illness and infection in infants.
- To determine if specific breastfeeding durations correlate with reduced healthcare utilization for respiratory conditions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective birth cohort study involving 2602 infants in Perth, Western Australia.
- Data collected on hospital admissions, doctor visits, and clinic visits for respiratory issues.
- Exposure measured by the duration of predominant and partial breastfeeding, controlling for key confounders.
Main Results:
- Stopping predominant breastfeeding before 2 months or partial breastfeeding before 6 months increased upper respiratory tract infections.
- Less than six months of predominant breastfeeding was linked to higher risks of respiratory visits and wheezing-related hospital admissions.
- Breastfeeding for less than eight months correlated with increased risks for respiratory visits and hospital admissions for wheezing lower respiratory illnesses.
Conclusions:
- Predominant breastfeeding for at least six months and partial breastfeeding for up to one year may lower the incidence and morbidity of infant respiratory infections.
- Promoting longer breastfeeding durations is recommended for reducing respiratory morbidity in infancy.
Aim:
To examine the relation between the duration of breast feeding and morbidity as a result of respiratory illness and infection in the first year of life.
Methods:
Prospective birth cohort study of 2602 live born children ascertained through antenatal clinics at the major tertiary obstetric hospital in Perth, Western Australia. Main outcome measures were hospital, doctor, or clinic visits, and hospital admissions for respiratory illness and infection in the first year of life. Main exposure measures were the duration of predominant breast feeding (defined as the age other milk was introduced) and partial (any) breast feeding (defined as the age breast feeding was stopped). Main confounders were gender, gestational age less than 37 weeks, smoking in pregnancy, older siblings, maternal education, and maternal age.
Results:
Hospital, doctor, or clinic visits for four or more upper respiratory tract infections were significantly greater if predominant breast feeding was stopped before 2 months or partial breast feeding was stopped before 6 months. Predominant breast feeding for less than six months was associated with an increased risk for two or more hospital, doctor, or clinic visits and hospital admission for wheezing lower respiratory illness. Breast feeding for less than eight months was associated with a significantly increased risk for two or more hospital, doctor, or clinic visits or hospital admissions because of wheezing lower respiratory illnesses.
Conclusions:
Predominant breast feeding for at least six months and partial breast feeding for up to one year may reduce the prevalence and subsequent morbidity of respiratory illness and infection in infancy.