title: Survey of breast-feeding practices and outcomes in the cystic fibrosis population.
abstract: The aim of this study was to survey cystic fibrosis (CF) patients to determine the frequency of breast-feeding and its association with onset and severity of CF symptoms. Three thousand, two hundred questionnaires were sent to 30 accredited CF centers for anonymous completion. Eight hundred and sixty-three questionnaires were returned and scanned into a database. All results were adjusted for age at time of filling out the questionnaire. Age at onset of symptoms, percent forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1%) predicted, and intravenous (IV) antibiotic use were analyzed based on breast-feeding history. Approximately 49% of respondents received human breast milk at some time, but only 18% were exclusively breast-fed. Breast-feeding exclusively for greater than 6 months was associated with a decrease in disease severity based on recent intravenous antibiotic use compared to no breast-feeding (P = 0.03). There was no statistically significant change in onset of symptoms in the setting of breast-feeding; however, a trend toward delayed onset was seen in those receiving human milk. Fifty-three percent of those who breast-fed exclusively > or = 6 months had FEV1% values > 90%, compared to 47% of those not breast-fed. This is a suggestive but not statistically significant difference. In conclusion, breast-feeding for > or = 6 months is associated with decreased use of intravenous antibiotics in the 2 years prior to administering the questionnaire. This survey indicates that breast-feeding is not harmful to children with CF, and may be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA.
authors.forename: Eliza M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: Julie C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: Meredith M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Regan
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Freedman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents