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Effects of breastfeeding in postoperative complication in pediatric population: a systematic review
Bikona Ghosh1, Samhrutha Sripathi2, Bhargav Sai Nuthalapati3
1Dhaka Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Insights
Breastfeeding significantly reduces surgical complications in children, leading to fewer infections and shorter hospital stays. This review highlights breastfeeding as a key factor in improving pediatric surgical recovery and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Surgical complications in pediatric patients can lead to infections, delayed healing, and prolonged hospital stays.
- Understanding factors that mitigate these complications is crucial for improving recovery in pediatric and adolescent patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential impact of breastfeeding on reducing surgical complications in pediatric and adolescent patients.
- To enhance understanding of postoperative care strategies for young surgical patients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE.
- Adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
- Inclusion of studies with quality assessments above 70%, using Cochrane guidelines for data extraction and bias assessment.
Main Results:
- Six studies (3 cohort, 2 systematic reviews, 1 RCT) met inclusion criteria.
- Consistent evidence shows breastfeeding reduces postoperative infection rates and improves outcomes.
- Breastfeeding associated with shorter hospital stays, accelerated recovery, enhanced nutrition, and lower mortality/morbidity.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding positively impacts surgical outcomes in the pediatric population.
- Findings support breastfeeding benefits for pediatric surgical recovery.
- Further large-scale, multicenter research is recommended to strengthen evidence for clinical practice.
Introduction:
Surgical complications in younger patients can lead to infections, delayed healing, prolonged hospital stays, and other negative outcomes, significantly affecting their recovery. This study explores the potential impact of breastfeeding on mitigating these complications, aiming to enhance our understanding of postoperative care for paediatric and adolescent patients.
Methodology:
The authors conducted a systematic search on databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE, using relevant MESH keywords, adhering to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis" methodology. Quality assessments were performed, and studies scoring above 70% were included for standardized data incorporation. Data extraction followed Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review group's guidelines. Bias and ethical criteria were considered and provided valuable evidence to answer the research question.
Results:
Among 402 initially reviewed articles, six met inclusion criteria: 3 observational cohort studies, 2 systematic reviews, and 1 randomized controlled trial. The selected literature consistently demonstrates a significant reduction in postoperative infection rates and improved outcomes. Breastfeeding shortened postoperative hospital stays, accelerated recovery, and enhanced nutritional status, potentially reducing healthcare resource utilization and patient financial burden. Lower mortality and morbidity rates were also observed.
Conclusion:
This systematic review provides compelling evidence of breastfeeding's positive impact on surgical outcomes in the paediatric population. While the authors' findings support the benefits of breastfeeding in this age group, further large-scale, multicenter research is needed to provide stronger evidence for guiding clinical practices.
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