The effect of exclusive breastfeeding on reducing acute respiratory infections in low birth weight infants

Background Infants who are breastfed receive natural protectionagainst certain infections. Despite the known benefits of exclusivebreastfeeding, many Indonesian mothers choose to supplementwith formula. There have been few Indonesian studies on theeffect of exclusive breastfeeding in reducing acute respiratoryinfections in low birth weight infants in their first four monthsof life.Objective To investigate the effect of exclusive breastfeeding inreducing the incidence of acute respiratory infections in low birthweight infants during their first four months of life.Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study on low birthweight babies in Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar. The total numberof subjects was 181. The incidence of acute respiratory infectionsduring the first 4 months of life and the duration of breast feedingwere assessed by questionnaires. Data was analyzed Mth Chisquare and logistic regression tests.Results Infants who were exclusively breastfed for 4 months hada lower risk of acute respiratory infection than those who were notexclusively breastfed (RR 0.07; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.14; P􀁄O.OOI).After adjustment for gestational age, parity, maternal nutritionalstatus, family size, smoke exposure, and history of atopy, infantswho were exclusively breastfed still had a lower risk for acuterespiratory infection than those who were not exclusively breastfed(RR 0.06; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.13; P 􀁄 0.001)Conclusion Exclusive breastfeeding reduced the risk of acuterespiratory infection in low birth weight infants in the first fourmonths after birth. [Paediatr Indones. 2012;52:229,32].