Mortality patterns in breast versus artificially fed term babies in early infancy: a longitudinal study

The present study comprised 381 term babies weighing greater than 2.5 kg and 126 babies weighing less than or equal to 2.5 kg (low birth weight; LBW) at birth. A longitudinal follow up of 334 babies was done for 6 months. There were 273 'breast fed' babies and 234 'artificially fed' babies. Neonatal mortality rate per 1000 live births for term babies was 37.5, LBW had a rate of 31.5 while those weighing greater than 2.5 kg at birth a rate of 5.9; artificially fed had a mortality rate of 21.6 while breast fed had a low rate of 15.8. For 1-6 months period a mortality rate per 1000 live births of 53.8 was found for term babies, breast fed a rate of 23.9 while artificially fed a rate of 29.9; LBW had a rate of 44.9 while those weighing more than 2.5 kg at birth, a rate of 9. Low birth weight babies whether breast fed or artificially fed had significantly higher mortality than similarly fed babies weighing more than 2.5 kg at birth. Hence, mortality rate for term babies in early infancy can be reduced by simultaneous promotion of breastfeeding and prevention of low birth weight as it was dependent on both variables in this study.