Breastfeeding,
why...
Milosavljevic
N, Virijevic V. Methods of feeding and illness in infants
the first six months of life, Srp Arh Celok Lek,
125(11-12): 325-8, 1997.
This work retrospectively analyzed
the incidence of respiratory and digestive illnesses occurring
before six months of age, according to whether or not
the infants had received breast milk. All of the babies,
born in the community of Krushevac in 1994 with more than
36 weeks gestation and/or birth weights of 2500g or more,
were included in the study. The authors found that the
incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses
(including acute otitis media) was significantly lower
in breastfed infants.
Weerheijm KL,
Uyttendaele Speybrouck BF, Euwe HC, Groen HJ. Prolonged
demand breast-feeding and nursing caries, Caries
Research, 32(1): 46-50, 1998.
This study explored the caries risk
associated with prolonged breastfeeding in a group of
96 Dutch infants. The average weaning age was 21.5 months
(SD 9.8) and the median age of first dental cleaning was
11.7 months (DS 5.1). 70% utilized fluoride products.
The study showed that a prolonged demand for breastfeeding
did not raise the prevalence of caries.
Inaba N, Okajima
Y, Kang XS, Ishikawa K, Fukasawa I. Maternal-infant
transmission of hepatitis G virus, American Journal
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 177(6): 1537-8, 1997.
Doctors studied the risk of vertical
infection in seven children born to mothers with positive
reactions to the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the Hepatitis
G virus and antibodies to Hepatitis G. The risk of transmission
of the Hepatitis G virus in uterus or in the birth canal
seemed to be much more significant than through breast
milk.
Carbonare SB,
Silva ML, Palmeira P, Carneiro Sampaio MM. Human colostrum
IgA antibodies reacting to enteropathogenic Escherichia
coli antigens and their persistence in the feces of
a breastfed infant, Journal of Diarrhoeal Disease
Research, 15(2): 53-8, 1997.
Researchers studied the reaction of
IgA antibodies from human colostrum to bacterium (Escherichia
coli) antigen (EPEC) and their role in preventing
the attachment of the EPEC to Hep-2 cells. The authors
were able to confirm that these antibodies play an important
role in the protection of the newborn against enteropathogenic
E. coli infections.
Wu TC, Hwang B.
Blood nutrient indices in breast and formula fed infants:
amino acids metabolic responses, Chung Hua Min
Kuo Hsiao Erh Ko I Hsueh Hui Tsa Chih, 38(5): 345-51,
1997.
Breast milk is generally considered
the best food for infants and formulas are usually made
to imitate human milk. Manufacturers, therefore, hypothesize
that the metabolic reactions that occur in babies fed
with formula should be similar to those occurring in those
fed with breast milk. This study on growth and metabolism
was carried out during eight weeks and included 90 healthy,
full-term infants: 30 were exclusively breast-fed, 30
were predominantly fed formula and 30 were predominantly
fed casein. The results showed that many of the essential
amino acids in plasma were significantly higher in the
formula-fed infants. While the tryptophan amino acid levels
were lower in both artificially fed groups, the plasma
taurine amino acid levels were lower in the casein group.
These results suggest the need to re-evaluate the quantities
and quality of proteins in infant formulas.
Barros FC, Victora
CG, Morris SS, Halpern R, Horta BL, Tomasi E. Breast
feeding, pacifier use and infant development at 12 months
of age: a birth cohort study in Brazil, Paediatric
Perinatal Epidemiology, 11(4): 441-50, 1997.
Many studies suggest that breastfeeding
confers intellectual and developmental advantages upon
children. A cohort of 5,304 children born during 1993
in the city of Pelotas (Brazil) was studied, with checkups
at one, three, six and 12 months of age. Breastfeeding
practices, as well as pacifier use, were evaluated. Development
was measured according to the Denver II Test. It was found
that the longer that infants breastfed, the fewer developmental
delays they showed. The results showed that higher parity,
smoking during pregnancy, birth weight, gestational age,
pacifier use, and duration of breastfeeding all have significant
associations with development. The effect of pacifier
use disappeared when adjusted for duration of breastfeeding,
which suggests that it is breastfeeding, and not pacifier
use which has a positive effect on infant development.
Tram TH, Brand
Miller JC, McNeil Y, McVeagh P. Sialic acid content
of infant saliva: comparison of breast fed with formula
fed infants, Archives of Diseases in Childhood,
77(4): 315-8, 1997.
Sialic acid is found in especially
high levels in the brain. Supplementation with sialic
acid has been associated with an increase in learning
behavior in animals. The investigators in this study demonstrated
that the levels in saliva of sialic acid concentration
in 18 breastfed infants were almost twice those found
in 15 formula-fed infants. The authors concluded that
the higher sialic acid concentration in breast milk is
responsible for the higher concentration in body fluids
and tissues of breastfed infants. They also recommend
reformulating the quantities of sialic acids contained
in infant formula.
Challacombe DN,
Mecrow IK, Elliot K, Clarke FJ, Wheeler EE. Changing
infant feeding practices and declining coeliac disease
in West Somerset. Archives of Diseases in Childhood,
77(3): 206-9, 1997.
The association between changing infant
feeding practices and the decline in new cases of coeliac
disease, as well as temporary gluten intolerance, were
studied in West Somerset, England from 1971 to 1992. The
dietary histories of 18 coeliac patients and 23 controls
from 1971 to 1980 and of 8 coeliacs and 39 controls from
1981 to 1992 were studied. It was found that the later
introduction of gluten and the increased use of rice and
other gluten-free foods during the weaning period, as
well as the greater incidence of breastfeeding, were factors
associated with the decline in cases.
Donma MM, Donma
O. The influence of feeding patterns on head circumference
among Turkish infants during the first 6 months of life.
Brain Development, 19(6): 393-7, 1997.
In this study head measurements (CP),
of 172 healthy newborns were evaluated. 62 of the newborns
were exclusively breastfed, 58 received mixed breast milk
and formula, and 52 were exclusively formula-fed. At the
time of birth, there was no significant difference among
the three groups. At one month of age, the CPs of the
exclusively breastfed infants were significantly greater
than those in either of the other groups. In the four
following months, there were no significant differences.
At six months, the CP values for the age of the infants
fed mixed and artificial milks were significantly lower
than those of the exclusively breastfed infants (p<0.05.)
The authors maintain that exclusive breastfeeding is adequate
for the first six months of life.
Bass SM, Groer
MW. Relationship of breast-feeding and formula-feeding
practices with infant health outcomes in an urban poor
population. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing,
11(2): 1-9, 1997.
Mothers in this prospective study
filled out a questionnaire on demographic and anthropometric
factors, their childrens' infections, including medicines
and medical attention. The results showed that the mothers
who were more likely to breastfeed were white, older,
and had higher economic status. The infants who were formula-fed
had more illnesses. The breastfed infants suffered less
frequently from colds, rashes, vomiting, ear infections,
and in general, used the healthcare system less.
Hassan K, Sullivan
KM, Yip R, Woodroof BA. Factors associated with anemia
in refugee children, Journal of Nutrition, 127(11):
2194-8, 1997.
In 1990, a nutritional study on Palestinian
refugee children between the ages of 6 to 35 months was
completed. 65% were anemic (Hb < 11.0g/l). The factors
that were significantly related with anemia were: lack
of breastfeeding, male sex, illiterate mothers, recent
or repeated episodes of diarrhea and slow growth.
Golding J, Emmett
PM, Rogers IS. Does breast-feeding protect against
non-gastric infections? Early Human Development,
49 Suppl: S105-20, 1997.
The authors affirm that prolonged
breastfeeding, as well as providing protection against
digestive tract infections, provided an important protection
against Haemophilus influenzae B infections and
against the occurrence of otitis media.
Hokama T, Imamura
T. Members of the throat microflora among infants with
different feeding methods. Journal of Tropical
Pediatrics, 44(2): 84-6, 1998.
The normal microflora of the throat
plays a protective role against pathogenic bacteria. The
throat microflora of 60 one-month-old infants were studied.
Of these infants, 30 were exclusively breastfed, 15 were
mixed fed, and 15 were fed only formula. Hemolytic Streptococcus
alpha was found in all infants. The incidences of Streptococcus
gamma and isolate negative Staphylococcus coagulase were
higher in breastfed infants. It was also found that the
negative Staphylococcus coagulase is one of the three
species of predominant bacteria in breastfed infants.
Newburg DS, Peterson
JA, Ruiz Palacios GM, Matson DO, Morrow AL, Shults J,
et al. Role of human-milk lactadherin in protection
against symptomatic rotavirus infection. The Lancet,
351(9110): 1160-4, 1998.
Human milk contains a glycoprotein
called lactadherin, which specifically attaches to rotaviruses
and inhibits their settling on the gut wall. This study
was done to demonstrate the hypothesis that lactadherin
protects against symptomatic rotavirus infection. 200
infants born in Mexico City were evaluated, and their
levels of specific antibodies were measured. Samples of
breast milk were also analyzed weekly for the first four
weeks of the infants' lives, and then monthly. In the
samples taken immediately before an episode of rotavirus
infection, the amounts of lactadherin, butyrophenone,
mucin and IgA secretory were analyzed. 31 infants developed
rotavirus infections; 15 had symptoms and 16 had no symptoms.
The only difference between the infants who showed symptoms
and those who did not was that the concentration of lactadherin
was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the infants without
symptoms. The authorsconcluded that the protection that
breast milk provides against symptomatic rotavirus infection
is associated with this glycoprotein.
McCredie M, Paul
C, Skegg DC, Williams S. Reproductive factors and breast
cancer in New Zealand, International Journal of
Cancer, 76(2): 182-8, 1998.
A total of 891 women between 25 and
54 years of age with a first-time diagnosis of breast
cancer and 1864 controls were studied to analyze the relationship
existing between breast cancer and reproductive risk factors.
Among other factors such as age of menarche, it was found
that prolonged breast-feeding substantially reduced the
risk of this type of cancer, especially amongst young
women.
Yu VY. The
role of dietary nucleotides in neonatal and infant nutrition,
Singapore Medical Journal, 39(4): 145-50, 1998.
Human milk has higher concentrations
of nucleotides than bovine milk which is the principal
dairy component of infant formulas. Since human milk is
considered the "gold standard," formulas have
been enriched with nucleotides. Although it is suggested
that the dietary nucleotides possess beneficial gastrointestinal
and immunological benefits, feeding formulas fortified
with nucleotides has not been demonstrated to confer the
same benefits as breast milk.
Worobey J. Feeding
method and motor activity in 3-month-old human infants,
Perception and Motor Skills, 86(3 Pt 1): 883-95,
1998.
It is common knowledge that breastfed
infants and those that receive formulas show different
speeds in physical growth. Little is known, however, about
the differences in behavior according to feeding methods
in the first months of life. In this investigation activity
levels were monitored (measuring the motor response) in
40 three-month-old breastfed infants and 40 three-month-old
formula-fed infants. Controlling for other variables,
the breastfed infants showed greater motor activity than
those fed with formula. The author concludes the motor
activity seemed to be particularly sensitive to feeding
type.
Jayanthi S, Seymour
P, Puntis JW, Stringer MD. Necrotizing enterocolitis
after gastroschisis repair: a preventable complication?
Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 33(5): 705-7,
1998.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has
been documented in more than 20% of infants after the
repair of gastroclisis (a gut malformation), and is largely
responsible for morbidity. Also, NEC is reported ten times
more frequently in pre-term infants who receive formula
than in those who are exclusively breast-fed. The question
is whether breast milk confers the same protection against
NEC in infants who have to be operated on for gastroclisis.
A retrospective analysis was done on all of the children
who were operated on for gastroclisis between 1990 and
1996.
The results show that of 60 infants with gastroclisis
six (10%) died, but without evidence of NEC. Of the remaining
54 eight (15%) developed clinical and radiological NEC.
None of the 12 exclusively breast-fed infants developed
NEC in contrast with one (5%) of the 19 who received both
breast milk and formula and seven (30%) of the 23 who
received only formula. NEC is less likely to appear in
infants who are exclusively breast-fed than in those who
are fed exclusively with formula (p<0.02). The authors
concluded that during the repair of gastroclisis feeding
the infants with expressed breast milk can help protect
them from NEC.
Hylander MA, Strobino
DM, Dhanireddy R. Human milk feedings and infection
in very low birth weight infants. Pediatrics, 102(3):
E38, 1998.
The object of this study was to observe
the effect of human milk on the incidence of infections
in very low-birth-weight infants in the first stages of
hospitalization. 212 very low-birth-weight newborns who
were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Georgetown
University Medical Center in 1992 and 1993 were evaluated.
The incidence of infections (human milk 29.3% vs. formula
47.2%) and sepsis/meningitis (human milk 19.5% vs. formula
32.6%) were significantly different according to the type
of feeding. The authors concluded that the incidence of
different types of infections and sepsis/meningitis are
significantly reduced in very low-birth-weight infants
who are fed with breast milk, as opposed to those who
are fed exclusively with formula.
Horwood LJ, Fergusson
DM. Breastfeeding and later cognitive and academic
outcome. Pediatrics, 101(1): 1-7, 1998.
This study examined the association
between duration of breastfeeding and childhood intelligence
and academic success during the period from 8 to 18 years
of age. It utilized information gathered during the course
of an 18-year longitudinal study of a group of over 1,000
children born in New Zealand. In the period after birth
until 1 year of age, the information on breastfeeding
practices was collected. During the time from 8 to 18
years of age the children were evaluated with a series
of cognitive and academic measurements. These included
childhood Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests, educational
evaluations of scholastic performance, and tests on reading,
mathematics and study skills.
It was found that longer duration of breast-feeding is
associated with a consistent, statistically significant
increase in 1) IQ calculated at ages eight and nine years,
2) reading comprehension and mathematical and study skills
assessed during the period from 10 to 13 years of age,
3) educational evaluations of reading and mathematical
calculations from 8 to 12 years and 4) levels of achievement
on final exams. The children who are breastfed for eight
months had test values that were between 0.35 and 0.59
Standard Deviations higher than those who received artificial
formula.
The adjustment of maternal and other factors associated
with breastfeeding in the statistical analysis reduced
the association between breast feeding and cognitive and
educational results. In 10 of 12 models, however, an adequate
duration of breastfeeding was a significant predictor
of cognitive results or educational delays. With the adjustment
for confounding factors, the children who were breastfed
for eight months had average test values that were between
0.11 and 0.30 Standard Deviations higher than those that
were not breastfed. It was concluded that breastfeeding
is associated with small, but detectable increases in
childhood cognitive abilities and educational success.
Duffy LC, Faden
H, Wasielewski R, Wolf J, Krystofik D. Exclusive breastfeeding
protects against bacterial colonization and day care exposure
to otitis media, Pediatrics, 100(4): E7, 1997.
This study followed a group of 306
children in two suburban pediatric care centers with relation
to their breastfeeding patterns and episodes of acute
otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME).
Between six and 12 months of age the accumulated incidence
of first episodes of otitis media (OM) ranged from 25%
to 51% in infants who were exclusively breast-fed and
from 54% to 76% in those that had received formula from
birth. After the first three months of life the longer
the breastfeeding duration, the lower the incidence of
both AMO and OME. There was a two-fold risk of suffering
a first episode of AOM or OME in children fed exclusively
with formula, as opposed to those fed exclusively with
breast milk for the first six months of life. In the statistical
analysis feeding with formula was the best predictor of
AOM and OME risk. Breast milk, even for periods as short
as three months, reduces the risk of otitis media.
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