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[The effect of breast feeding on morbidity in children]
Insights
This study found that girls experienced less illness than boys. Extended breastfeeding for over 4 months significantly reduced illness in infants during their first year.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics and Child Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Context:
- Study conducted in Southern Moravia involving 4210 children aged 0-3 years.
- Investigated morbidity patterns related to respiratory infections, diarrhea, and other infections.
- Examined influence of sex, child community living, birth order, and infant nutrition on child health outcomes.
Purpose:
- To analyze factors influencing morbidity in young children.
- To determine the impact of breastfeeding duration on infant illness rates.
- To identify sex-based differences in child morbidity.
Summary:
- Girls exhibited lower morbidity rates compared to boys.
- Children residing in child communities had double the morbidity.
- Infant feeding practices significantly impacted illness, with longer breastfeeding (over 4 months) associated with fewer illnesses in the first year.
- These effects were moderated by sex and birth order.
- Differences in morbidity related to breastfeeding duration diminished by ages two and three.
- Similar trends observed across antibiotic use, hospital admissions, and mean hospital stay duration.
Impact:
- Highlights the protective effect of breastfeeding on infant morbidity.
- Underscores the importance of considering sex and birth order in pediatric health assessments.
- Provides evidence for public health interventions aimed at reducing childhood infections.
- Informs parental guidance on infant nutrition and care practices.
Abstract:
The authors investigated in a group of 4210 children from birth to three years from Southern Moravia the morbidity from respiratory infections, diarrhoea and other infections. There were bisexual differences in morbidity, girls were less frequently ill. Children from child communities had a two old morbidity. Birth order was also important. The influence of natural nutrition was apparent in particular during the first year when infants breastfed for more than 4 months had significantly fewer spells of illness. These results were influenced by sex and birth order. At the age of two and three years the differences between children breastfed for a short and long time disappeared. Similar results were found also in other morbidity indicators such as administration of antibiotics, number of hospital admissions and mean number of days spent in hospital.