Breastfeeding reduces risk of infant respiratory tract infections

Infants who have been fully breastfed for 6 months up to at least 1 year appear to have a lower risk of subsequent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and hospitalization from RTIs, a study has shown.

A total of 5,242 infants were included in this analysis. Of these, 435 (13.1 percent) received full breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding for at least a year (F6-L).

When compared with infants in the F6-L group, those who were formula fed (FF) showed a higher risk of RTIs (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.34, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.53), including upper (aRR, 1.31, 95 percent CI, 1.12–1.52) and lower RTIs (aRR, 1.59, 95 percent CI, 1.10–2.31).

The FF group also showed a higher risk of hospitalization from RTIs (aRR, 1.88, 95 percent CI, 1.20–2.95) than the F6-L group.

“Full breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding for at least 1 year was associated with a lower risk of subsequent infant RTIs and hospitalization from RTIs,” the investigators said.

This study was a secondary analysis embedded in the Tongji Maternal and Child Health Cohort study. A team of investigators obtained data on infant breastfeeding at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. They also collected information on paediatrician-diagnosed infant RTIs and hospitalization for RTIs during 12–24 months at 24 months postpartum.

Finally, the association between breastfeeding practices and the risks of RTIs and hospitalization due to RTIs was examined using robust log-Poisson regression models.