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Infant-feeding practices and their relationship with diarrheal and other diseases in Huascar (Lima), Peru
K H Brown1, R E Black, G Lopez de Romaña
1Instituto de Investagacion Nutricional, Lima, Peru.
Insights
Exclusive breastfeeding significantly reduces infectious disease morbidity in Peruvian infants. Continued breastfeeding, even after introducing other fluids, offers protection against diarrhea and respiratory infections throughout the first year of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infant feeding practices are crucial for child health, particularly in underprivileged communities.
- Breastfeeding is recommended globally, but exclusive breastfeeding rates remain low in many regions.
- Understanding the impact of feeding practices on infant morbidity is essential for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between infant feeding practices and the incidence/prevalence of infectious diseases in Peruvian newborns.
- To assess the impact of exclusive breastfeeding versus mixed feeding on infant morbidity during the first year of life.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study followed 153 Peruvian infants for their first year.
- Monthly questionnaires assessed feeding practices; thrice-weekly surveillance identified illnesses.
- Statistical analysis compared morbidity rates based on feeding categories.
Main Results:
- Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with lower rates of diarrhea, especially in infants under 6 months.
- Discontinuation of breastfeeding increased the risk of diarrheal incidence and prevalence.
- Exclusively breastfed infants experienced fewer upper and lower respiratory tract infections.
- Fewer skin infections were observed in exclusively breastfed infants during early life and in older infants who continued breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breastfeeding is protective against infectious diseases, including diarrhea and respiratory infections, in the first year of life.
- Continued breastfeeding, even alongside other fluids, offers significant health benefits.
- Interventions promoting exclusive and continued breastfeeding are vital for reducing infant morbidity in vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
Longitudinal studies of the feeding practices and morbidity from infectious diseases of 153 Peruvian newborns from an underprivileged, periurban community were completed during their first year of life. Feeding practices were assessed by monthly questionnaires, and illnesses were identified by thrice-weekly, community-based surveillance. All infants were initially breast-fed, but only 12% were exclusively breast-fed at 1 month of age. At 12 months of age, 86% of children still received some breast milk. Incidence and prevalence rates of diarrhea in infants younger than 6 months of age were less among those who were exclusively breast-fed compared with those who received other liquids or artificial milks in addition to breast milk. The diarrheal prevalence rates doubled with the addition of these other fluids (15.2% v 7.1% of days ill, P less than .001). Infants for whom breast-feeding was discontinued during the first 6 months had 27.6% diarrheal prevalence. During the second 6 months of life, discontinuation of breast-feeding was also associated with an increased risk of diarrheal incidence and prevalence. Upper and lower respiratory tract infections occurred with lesser prevalence among exclusively breast-fed younger infants. The prevalences of skin infections by category of feeding practice were not as consistent, but exclusively breast-fed infants tended to have fewer skin infections during the initial months of life and older infants who continued to breast-feed had fewer infections than those who did not. None of the results could be explained by differences in the socioeconomic status of the infants' families.