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Protective effect of breastfeeding against urinary tract infection

S Mårild1, S Hansson, U Jodal

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. staffan.marild@pediat.gu.se

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 30, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding significantly lowers the risk of febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. This protective effect, linked to breast milk

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children.
  • The role of breastfeeding in preventing infections is an area of ongoing research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding against first-time febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) in young children.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective case-control study was conducted with 200 children diagnosed with their first febrile UTI and 336 matched controls.
  • Data on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding was collected using a standardized method.

Main Results:

  • Ongoing exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a significantly reduced risk of febrile UTI.
  • A longer duration of breastfeeding showed a continued protective effect even after weaning, suggesting a long-term mechanism.
  • The protective effect was most pronounced in early infancy, diminishing by 7 months of age.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding demonstrates a significant protective role against urinary tract infections in children.
  • These findings support the concept of breast milk as a natural defense mechanism against UTIs.
Abstract

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