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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
Published on: February 15, 2018
Breastfeeding influences on growth and health at one year of age
Wendy H Oddy1, Jane A Scott, Kathleen I Graham
1Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, PO Box 855, West Perth W.A 6872, Australia. wendyo@ichr.uwa.edu.au
Our aim was to determine whether a longer duration of full breastfeeding in early infancy acts positively upon health outcomes. Women participating in a birth cohort study in Perth, Australia were followed-up at regular intervals to 52 weeks. Infant feeding, socio-demographic and health-related data were collected. Infants fully breastfed for less than four weeks compared to infants fully breastfed for four weeks or longer had more health problems (odds ratio [OR] 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 2.08; P = 0.048), more doctor visits (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.04, 2.33; P = 0.032) and poorer maternal rating of child health (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.44, 4.06; P = 0.001) at four weeks. By 52 weeks, formula-fed infants were heavier (10138 g vs 9731 g, P = 0.041) and longer (75.6 cm vs 73.7 cm, P = 0.011). An adverse effect of formula milk on infant health and postnatal weight gain remains of public health relevance.
Our aim was to determine whether a longer duration of full breastfeeding in early infancy acts positively upon health outcomes. Women participating in a birth cohort study in Perth, Australia were followed-up at regular intervals to 52 weeks. Infant feeding, socio-demographic and health-related data were collected. Infants fully breastfed for less than four weeks compared to infants fully breastfed for four weeks or longer had more health problems (odds ratio [OR] 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 2.08; P = 0.048), more doctor visits (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.04, 2.33; P = 0.032) and poorer maternal rating of child health (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.44, 4.06; P = 0.001) at four weeks. By 52 weeks, formula-fed infants were heavier (10138 g vs 9731 g, P = 0.041) and longer (75.6 cm vs 73.7 cm, P = 0.011). An adverse effect of formula milk on infant health and postnatal weight gain remains of public health relevance.
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