Illnesses within the first year of life

Abstract

Summary Among 417 infants observed for attacks of illness within their first yearof life, the incidence of illness was not influenced by sex. The incidence of illness was 1.63 per infant per year. The frequency of illness increased as the infants approached 1 year of age.There was a definite seasonal fluctuation in the incidence of respiratory illnesses but not in the incidence of gastrointestinal illnesses. Respiratory illnesses comprised nearly 73 per cent of the illnesses during the first year of life. From a statistical standpoint the duration of breast feeding did not influence the rate of illnesses for the period studied. However, it must be remembered that many other factors predisposing to illness may have obliterated this single influence.