[Influence of type of infant feeding and other factors on the incidence of respiratory tract infections in infants followed at a primary care center].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of type of infant feeding on the incidence of lower (LRTI) and upper respiratory tract infections during the first 12 months of life.


METHODS
Historical cohort study.


METHODS
Primary care centers.


METHODS
A total of 250 babies born at term between October 1, 1994 and February 1, 1998.


METHODS
current medical record available at a participating primary care center, participation in a Healthy Baby Program, residence in the basic health area involved in the study, birth weight #>2500 g. Interventions. Breastfeeding alone or in combination with formula feeding; artificial feeding alone.


RESULTS
Attending day care, antecedents of atopy, fathers and mothers smoking habit, parents level of education, number of persons in the household, mothers age. There was no association between type of feeding and the incidence of respiratory infections. All 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the odds ratios (OR) included the value of 1. At age 3 months, LRTI was associated with the number of persons in the household (OR, 1,87; 95% CI, 1.18-2.95) and with antecedents of atopy (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.19-7.4). At age 6 months, LRTI was associated with the number of persons in the household (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.07-2.44) and with attending day care (OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 1.20-17.1).


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study breastfeeding was not effective in lowering the incidence of respiratory infections.
Buñuel Alvarez
J C
JC
Pediatra de Atencion Primaria, Institut Catala de la Salut, Girona, Spain.
Vila Pablos
C
C
Puig Congost
M
M
Díez García
S
S
Corral Tomàs
A
A
Pérez Oliveras
M
M
D001942:Breast Feeding; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*