Gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and breast feeding

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Diarrhea and gastroenteritis are major global health concerns, especially in infants.
• Breastfeeding is widely recognized for its health benefits, but its specific role in preventing gastrointestinal infections requires detailed examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize existing literature on the relationship between breastfeeding and diarrhea/gastroenteritis.
• To assess the protective effect of breastfeeding against gastrointestinal infections in different global settings.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies investigating breastfeeding and diarrhea/gastroenteritis.
• Analysis of epidemiological associations, including odds ratios, and biological plausibility indicators.

Main Results:

• Consistent evidence shows exclusive breastfeeding (first 4-6 months) protects against diarrhea/gastroenteritis globally.
• Odds ratios for non-breast milk feeds exceeded 3.0, indicating a strong protective effect.
• The protective effect was consistently strong for non-viral pathogens but less consistent for rotavirus.

Conclusions:

• Breastfeeding demonstrates a significant protective effect against diarrhea and gastroenteritis, particularly in the early months of life.
• Epidemiological consistency, strength of association, and biological plausibility support a causal relationship between breastfeeding and reduced risk of these infections.