J Raisler1, C Alexander, P O'Campo. 1. Nurse-Midwifery Program, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor 48109-0482, USA. jraisler@umich.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether breast-feeding has a dose-related protective effect against illness and whether it confers special health benefits to poor infants. METHODS: The association between breast-feeding dose and illnesses in the first 6 months of life was analyzed with generalized estimating equations regression for 7092 infants from the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey. Breast-feeding dose (ratio of breast-feedings to other feedings) was categorized as full, most, equal, less, or no breast-feeding. RESULTS: Compared with no breast-feeding, full breast-feeding infants had lower odds ratios of diarrhea, cough or wheeze, and vomiting and lower mean ratios of illness months and sick baby medical visits. Most breast-feeding infants had lower odds ratios of diarrhea and cough or wheeze, and equal breast-feeding infants had lower odds ratios of cough or wheeze. Full, most, and equal breast-feeding infants without siblings had lower odds ratios of ear infections and certain other illnesses, but those with siblings did not. Less breast-feeding infants had no reduced odds ratios of illness. Findings did not vary by income. CONCLUSIONS: Full breast-feeding was associated with the lowest illness rates. Minimal (less) breast-feeding was not protective. Breast-feeding conferred similar health benefits in all economic groups.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether breast-feeding has a dose-related protective effect against illness and whether it confers special health benefits to poor infants. METHODS: The association between breast-feeding dose and illnesses in the first 6 months of life was analyzed with generalized estimating equations regression for 7092 infants from the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey. Breast-feeding dose (ratio of breast-feedings to other feedings) was categorized as full, most, equal, less, or no breast-feeding. RESULTS: Compared with no breast-feeding, full breast-feeding infants had lower odds ratios of diarrhea, cough or wheeze, and vomiting and lower mean ratios of illness months and sick baby medical visits. Most breast-feeding infants had lower odds ratios of diarrhea and cough or wheeze, and equal breast-feeding infants had lower odds ratios of cough or wheeze. Full, most, and equal breast-feeding infants without siblings had lower odds ratios of ear infections and certain other illnesses, but those with siblings did not. Less breast-feeding infants had no reduced odds ratios of illness. Findings did not vary by income. CONCLUSIONS: Full breast-feeding was associated with the lowest illness rates. Minimal (less) breast-feeding was not protective. Breast-feeding conferred similar health benefits in all economic groups.
Authors: L J Launer; M R Forman; G L Hundt; B Sarov; D Chang; H W Berendes; L Naggan Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 1992-06 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: D H Rubin; J M Leventhal; P A Krasilnikoff; H S Kuo; J F Jekel; B Weile; A Levee; M Kurzon; A Berget Journal: Pediatrics Date: 1990-04 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Rosângela da Costa Lima; Cesar G Victora; Ana Maria B Menezes; Fernando C Barros Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-11 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Athena I Patrianakos-Hoobler; Michael E Msall; Jeremy D Marks; Dezheng Huo; Michael D Schreiber Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 7.124