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Full breastfeeding duration and associated decrease in respiratory tract infection in US children

Caroline J Chantry1, Cynthia R Howard, Peggy Auinger

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. caroline.chantry@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu

Pediatrics
|February 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, not just 4, significantly reduces infant risk of pneumonia and recurrent ear infections. These findings support current pediatric recommendations for infant nutrition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
  • Previous research indicates 6-month exclusive breastfeeding offers greater protection against gastrointestinal infections than 4-month duration, but evidence for respiratory tract infections is less clear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if exclusive breastfeeding for six months or longer, compared to four to less than six months, provides enhanced protection against respiratory tract infections in US infants.

Main Methods:

  • A secondary analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994) data was conducted.
  • Data from 2277 children aged 6 to 24 months were analyzed, excluding those with neonatal intensive care unit stays.
  • Logistic regression, accounting for complex survey design and confounding factors, assessed the odds of pneumonia, frequent upper respiratory infections, recurrent otitis media (OM), and early-onset OM.

Main Results:

  • Infants exclusively breastfed for 4 to <6 months had a significantly higher risk of pneumonia (OR: 4.27; 95% CI: 1.27-14.35) compared to those breastfed for >=6 months.
  • A statistically significant increased risk for recurrent otitis media (>=3 episodes) was also observed in the 4 to <6 months group (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.06-3.59).
  • No significant differences were found for frequent cold/influenza, wheezing, or first OM at <12 months.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months is associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia and recurrent otitis media in infants.
  • These findings reinforce current public health recommendations supporting exclusive breastfeeding for the infant's first six months of life.
Abstract

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