Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 23, 2025

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets
08:12

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

Published on: September 6, 2019

7.4K

Is exclusive breastfeeding for six-months protective against pediatric tuberculosis?

Juan A Flores1,2, Julia Coit3, Milagros Mendoza4

  • 1Escuela Profesional de Tecnología Médica, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista , Lima, Peru.

Global Health Action
|January 4, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months did not show a link to decreased tuberculosis (TB) risk in children. However, breastfeeding by mothers with TB may increase infant TB risk, warranting further study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants up to six months for protection against childhood illnesses.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in children.
  • The potential impact of breastfeeding on pediatric TB risk requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between exclusive breastfeeding and the risk of active tuberculosis (TB) in children.
  • To explore whether exclusive breastfeeding protects children against TB, as hypothesized.
  • To examine potential differences in this association based on the source of TB exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study analyzing data from 279 children (6-59 months) in Lima, Peru, with TB symptoms and a known adult TB contact.
  • Mothers self-reported breastfeeding practices; children's TB status was assessed per national guidelines.
  • Prevalence ratios were calculated using generalized linear models to quantify the association between exclusive breastfeeding and TB.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-two percent of children were diagnosed with TB; 72% were exclusively breastfed for six months.
  • No significant association was found between six months of exclusive breastfeeding and TB disease in bivariate or multivariable analyses.
  • A weak positive association between breastfeeding and TB was observed in children whose mothers had TB, but not in those whose close contact was not the mother.

Conclusions:

  • Exclusive breastfeeding for six months was not associated with a reduced risk of TB in this cohort.
  • Breastfeeding by mothers with active TB may potentially increase the risk of TB transmission to their infants.
  • Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and inform interventions to minimize TB transmission from mothers to infants.

Keywords:
Mycobacterium tuberculosisbreastfeedingchildinfantrisk factor

More Related Videos

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice06:32

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice

Published on: September 19, 2016

10.8K
Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFU Determination for Efficient Assessment of TB Vaccine Efficacy and Antigen Presentation Analysis06:26

Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFU Determination for Efficient Assessment of TB Vaccine Efficacy and Antigen Presentation Analysis

Published on: July 28, 2023

2.7K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
327
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
511
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
915
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
289
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
586
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
610