Leonardo Landa Rivera

Full Breastfeeding and Hospitalization as a Result of Infections in the First Year of Life

OBJECTIVE. Our objective was to assess the effect of breastfeeding on the probability of hospitalization as a result of infectious processes during the first year of life METHODS. We followed 1385 infants from birth to age 1 year between 1996 and 1999. Recruitment and data collection were done at the 6-month well-infant visit under the National Child Health Program. Full breastfeeding, hospital admission, and other relevant variables related to the delivery, infant, mother, health services system, and sociologic aspects were recorded. The statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier test, Cox regression to obtain the hazard ratio, and the adjusted attributable risk. RESULTS. Full breastfeeding at discharge after delivery and at 3, 4, and 6 months of age were 85%, 52%, 41%, and 15%, respectively; 78 hospital admissions as a result of infections were recorded (38 respiratory tract, 16 gastrointestinal tract). Mean age at admission was 4.1 months. After estimating the attributable risk, it was found that 30% of hospital admissions would have been avoided for each additional month of full breastfeeding. Seemingly, 100% of full breastfeeding among 4-month-old infants would avoid 56% of hospital admissions in infants who are younger than 1 year. CONCLUSIONS. On the basis of the present data, we conclude that full breastfeeding would lower the risk for hospital admission as a result of infections among infants who are younger than 1 year within an industrialized country.

Promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding for 4-6 Months in Honduras: Attitudes of Mothers and Barriers to Compliance

Prospective and retrospective data on maternal attitudes and obstacles to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) were collected from Honduran mothers of low birthweight (1500-2500 g), term infants who were enrolled in an intervention study to compare infant outcomes in those who were randomly assigned to breastfeed exclusively for either 4 or 6 months. Perceived advantages of EBF were that it was easier, more practical and economical, and resulted in better infant health and growth. Disadvantages included the perceived time demand, concerns that the infant would accept solids less readily, and fears that breast milk alone was insufficient. The majority of study participants said that they would choose to EBF, particularly in the first few weeks, women who persevered became enthusiastic proponents of EBF. Messages to promote EBF need to target the entire community, not just mothers, and should focus on addressing common misconceptions and alerting women to potential problems before they occur.

Exclusively breastfed, low birthweight term infants do not need supplemental water.

Breast milk intake, urine volume and urine‐specific gravity (USG) of exclusively breastfed, low birthweight (LBW) term male infants in Honduras were measured during 8‐h periods at 2 (n= 59) and 8 (n = 68) wk of age. Ambient temperature was 22–36°C and relative humidity was 37–86%. Maximum USG ranged from 1.001 to 1.012, all within normal limits.