Association of breastfeeding with tidal breathing analysis in infants with bronchiolitis

Evanthia Perikleous1, Sotirios Fouzas2, Athina Karageorgiou3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli 68100, Greece. eviperikleous@hotmail.com.

Insights

Infants recovering from bronchiolitis who were breastfed longer showed improved lung function measurements. Shorter breastfeeding duration or exposure to cigarette smoke was linked to obstructive lung disease indicators.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neonatal Respiratory Health
  • Infant Lung Mechanics

Background:

  • Tidal breathing flow-volume (TBFV) analysis is crucial for assessing infant lung mechanics.
  • Acute bronchiolitis is a common respiratory illness in infants, impacting lung function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of breastfeeding duration on TBFV measurements in infants post-bronchiolitis recovery.
  • To determine if breastfeeding impacts bronchodilator response in infants with a history of bronchiolitis.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving TBFV analysis in infants before hospital discharge.
  • Evaluation of the ratio of time to peak expiratory flow to total expiratory time (tPEF/tE) pre- and post-salbutamol administration.

Main Results:

  • Longer breastfeeding duration (>2 months) correlated with a significantly greater change in tPEF/tE after bronchodilation (12% vs 0.9%, P < 0.001).
  • A dose-response relationship was observed between breastfeeding duration and tPEF/tE reversibility (P < 0.001).
  • Shorter breastfeeding and exposure to cigarette smoke independently predicted greater tPEF/tE changes post-bronchodilation.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with shorter breastfeeding duration or cigarette smoke exposure exhibit TBFV patterns suggestive of obstructive lung disease post-bronchiolitis.
  • Breastfeeding duration appears to be a protective factor influencing lung function recovery in infants after acute bronchiolitis.
Abstract

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