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Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Effect of exclusive breastfeeding on selected adverse health and nutritional outcomes: a nationally representative
Md Nuruzzaman Khan1, M Mofizul Islam2,3
1Department of Population Sciences, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh, 2220, Bangladesh. sumonrupop@gmail.com.
Insights
Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months significantly reduces infant illness and malnutrition. Discontinuing EBF early increases risks of diarrhea, fever, and underweight in infants, highlighting the importance of sustained EBF for child health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for infants' first six months, yet optimal duration remains debated.
- This study investigates the health and nutritional impacts of discontinuing EBF at 2, 4, and 6 months postpartum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the association between early EBF cessation and adverse infant health and nutritional outcomes.
- To quantify the preventable burden of specific infant illnesses and under-nutrition attributable to suboptimal EBF duration.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of three waves of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data using multivariate regression.
- Assessment of infant health outcomes (diarrhea, fever, acute respiratory infection) and nutritional status (stunting, wasting, underweight).
- Calculation of population attributable fractions to estimate the impact of EBF on these outcomes.
Main Results:
- Fifty-six percent of infants achieved EBF for the first six months.
- Lack of EBF was associated with increased odds of diarrhea, fever, and acute respiratory infection (ARI).
- Early EBF termination (0-2 or 2-4 months) significantly increased the odds of infants being underweight.
Conclusions:
- Infants not exclusively breastfed for at least six months face higher risks of infectious diseases and under-nutrition.
- Public health interventions should prioritize and promote EBF for the first six months of life.
Background:
Despite growing evidence in support of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) among infants in the first 6 months of birth, the debate over the optimal duration of EBF continues. This study examines the effect of termination of EBF during the first 2, 4 and 6 months of birth on a set of adverse health and nutritional outcomes of infants.
Methods:
Three waves of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data were analysed using multivariate regression. The adverse health outcomes were: an episode of diarrhea, fever or acute respiratory infection (ARI) during the 2 weeks prior to the survey. Nutritional outcomes were assessed by stunting (height-for-age), wasting (weight-for-height) and underweight (weight-for-age). Population attributable fraction was calculated to estimate percentages of these six outcomes that could have been prevented by supplying EBF.
Results:
Fifty-six percent of infants were exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months. Lack of EBF increased the odds of diarrhea, fever and ARI. Among the babies aged 6 months or less 27.37% of diarrhea, 13.24% of fever and 8.94% of ARI could have been prevented if EBF was not discontinued. If EBF was terminated during 0-2 months, 2-4 months the odds of becoming underweight were 2.16 and 2.01 times higher, respectively, than babies for whom EBF was not terminated.
Conclusion:
Children who are not offered EBF up to 6 months of their birth may suffer from a range of infectious diseases and under-nutrition. Health promotion and other public health interventions should be enhanced to encourage EBF at least up to six-month of birth.
Trail Registration:
Data of this study were collected following the guidelines of ICF International and Bangladesh Medical Research Council. The registration number of data collection is 132,989.0.000 and the data-request was registered on September 11, 2016.
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