[Effect of exclusive breastfeeding on infant hospitalizations]

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) provides essential nutrients and strengthens the immune system, significantly reducing the risk of infant hospitalization during the first six months of life. This study aims to evaluate the association between EBF and the risk of hospitalization during the first year of life in a cohort of 370 postpartum women.

A prospective cohort study was conducted with postpartum women recruited from a maternity ward between August 2022 and 2023, with a one-year follow-up period. All postpartum women admitted during the same period who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study were included. The women were grouped by EBF and non-EBF status. Demographic and clinical variables and infant health outcomes were compared.

The study included 370 dyads (postpartum women and their newborns), of which only three were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 367 dyads, 163 maintained exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and 204 did not. The non-EBF group had a higher hospitalization rate (35.5% vs. 22.7%; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that not practicing EBF doubled the risk of hospitalization (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.4-2.8), regardless of other variables.

Maintaining exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization during the first year of life, supporting its promotion as a public health strategy.