title: The positive role of breastfeeding on infant health during the first 6 weeks: findings from a prospective observational study based on maternal reports.
abstract: This study aimed to report on adverse infant and maternal clinical outcomes, and investigate the relationship between infant feeding practice and such adverse clinical outcomes in infants during the first 6 weeks postpartum. From an eligible sample of 450 mother-term infant pairs recruited from the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital in Dublin, 27.1% of infants (n=122) were maternally reported to have had an illness during the first 6 weeks that necessitated the provision of prescribed medication +/- general practitioner/paediatrician attendance +/- hospitalisation. Of these, 90 infants had > or =1 episode of infection +/- viral +/- gastro-intestinal-related condition. After adjustment, 'any' breastfeeding to 6 weeks was protective against such adverse infant outcomes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.44, P = 0.022). Attendance to the GP/paediatrician for > 1 visit (aOR 3.44, P = 0.000) and multiparity (aOR 1.76, P = 0.041) were also positively associated with such adverse infant outcomes. To decrease infant morbidity rates in Ireland, government investment in breastfeeding promotion, support and research should be a continued public health priority.
authors.affiliation: Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12. roslyn.tarrant@olchc.ie
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tarrant
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheridan-Pereira
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Younger
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kearney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D009819:Office Visits; D010298:Parity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report