Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

11.1K

Effects of Breastfeeding on Respiratory Symptoms in Infancy

Olga Gorlanova1, Simone Thalmann1, Elena Proietti2

  • 1University Children's Hospital (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|April 12, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding significantly reduces infant respiratory symptoms, particularly in the first 27 weeks. This protective effect is more pronounced in girls and can mitigate risks from maternal smoking and delivery method.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric respiratory health
  • Infant development
  • Environmental and social determinants of health

Background:

  • Infant respiratory symptoms pose a significant health burden.
  • Understanding modifiable factors like breastfeeding is crucial for prevention.
  • Early life exposures can have long-term health consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of various risk factors on infant respiratory symptoms.
  • To determine how breastfeeding modifies these risks.
  • To analyze these effects within the first year of life.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 436 healthy term infants.
  • Weekly telephone interviews assessed breastfeeding status and respiratory symptoms.
  • Risk factors (smoking, delivery mode, maternal atopy, siblings) and environmental data (particulate matter) were collected.
  • Generalized additive mixed models were used for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Breastfeeding reduced respiratory symptom incidence and severity (RR 0.70) primarily in the first 27 weeks.
  • A protective effect was observed in girls but not boys.
  • Breastfeeding attenuated risks associated with maternal smoking, gestational age, and cesarean delivery.
  • No interaction found with maternal atopy, siblings, childcare, or particulate matter.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding demonstrates a risk-specific protective effect against infant respiratory symptoms.
  • The benefits of breastfeeding are evident in mitigating risks from specific early-life exposures.
  • A comprehensive time-series approach confirms breastfeeding's role in respiratory health.
Abstract

Keywords:
breastfeedinginfantsinteractionlongitudinal studyrespiratory symptoms

More Related Videos

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

1.1K
Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets08:12

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets

Published on: September 6, 2019

7.7K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
4.7K
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
66.3K
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
1.6K
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
3.6K
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
3.7K
Assessment of Respiration01:23

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...
2.3K