Abstract
The relationship between infant feeding (IF) (breast milk and/or formula) and infectious disease (ID) in developed countries is still unclear.
To determine the relationship between IF and ID, questionnaires were mailed monthly to 500 mothers of infants from birth to 3 months of age in Copenhagen, Denmark (90% return rate). Data was collected on: 1) infectious illnesses, 2) feeding histories, and 3) use of health services.
During the first month of life there were a significantly (p<.05, Mann-Whitney U Test) greater number of symptoms related to gastrointestinal Illness in formula fed Infants (51%) compared to formula and breast fed Infants (30%) or breast fed alone (20%). However, this relationship was significant (p<.01) only in the upper social classes. When controlling for other children and family illness, there was no effect of IF on gastrointestinal (G1) infection. We found no other effect of IF on symptoms of infectious illnesses (e.g. ENT, pulmonary, and skin).
These data suggest that there may be a minimal protective effect of breast-milk against G1 illness early in life.
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Rubln, D., Leventhal, J., Krasilnkoff, P. et al. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFANT FEEDING AND INFECTION. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 262 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00568
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00568