Beneficial Effect Of Breastfeeding Research Articles

The Possible Beneficial Effect of Breastfeeding on the Clinical Course of Urolithiasis Detected During Infancy.

Aim: To evaluate the possible effect of breastfeeding duration on the clinical course and treatment of stones detected during infancy. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight infants with renal stones diagnosed between 0 and 23 months were included in this retrospective cohort study. The children were called for regular follow-up visits for the evaluation of physical examination findings, renal size and parenchymal thickness measured by ultrasonography, localization, size and number of stones, spot urine analysis data, metabolic evaluation findings, and duration of breastfeeding and formula use. The relationship between the disease course (progression or stability) and the duration of breastfeeding were assessed from different aspects by considering the original characteristics of the stones at the time of first diagnosis. Results: The mean follow-up period was 46.21 ± 23.22 months, and the most important metabolic risk factor was hypercalciuria with a rate of 29.2%. The mean duration of breast milk intake was longer in children with no disease progression and in those with a reduced size and/or number of stones. The children receiving only breast milk for the first 6 months of life required treatment less and had less growth retardation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that breastfeeding has critical effects on infantile urolithiasis. Breastfeeding should be encouraged in children with stones particularly detected during infancy. Further studies with a larger case series are needed to reveal the positive effects of breast milk on the clinical course of urolithiasis in children.

Review of the novelties presented at the 2018 ECTRIMS Congress: 11th Post-ECTRIMS Meeting (II).

The Post-ECTRIMS Meeting was held for the eleventh consecutive year in October 2018 in Madrid, with the aim of analysing the advances made in multiple sclerosis that were highlighted at the latest ECTRIMS annual congress. Based on the issues discussed at this meeting, attended by the nation's foremost opinion leaders on multiple sclerosis, two review articles are presented. This second part includes the growing body of evidence confirming the safety of exposure to disease-modifying treatments in women planning a pregnancy, and the beneficial effect of breastfeeding, provided that the disease is not very active. It addresses data showing how the application of the 2017 McDonald criteria in the paediatric population has significantly improved diagnosis compared to the previous criteria. With regard to progressive multiple sclerosis, the results of neuroprotective drugs are inconclusive, but biomarkers are proposed to improve the evaluation of the therapeutic response. Studies on myelin repair treatments suggest that remyelination in multiple sclerosis is possible. Likewise, there are favourable indications for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, provided that patients are selected appropriately. On the other hand, we also conduct a review of the similarities and differences of the recommendations in the new clinical practice guidelines. Finally, the positive results of cognitive and motor rehabilitation with the use of new technologies point to the systematic incorporation of these tools in the treatment of the disease in the near future.

Breastfeeding and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

The beneficial effect of breastfeeding on individual components of the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents has been reported, but it is unknown if there is an association between being breastfed and metabolic syndrome as a whole. Research aim: This systematic review was performed to assess quality and strength of evidence for the association between being breastfed and the development of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. Articles were obtained from searches using PubMed and Embase databases, as well as from secondary searches through reference lists. Study quality was assessed using a three-level quality rating system. Of 11 studies reviewed, 7 found a protective association between breastfeeding and metabolic syndrome and 4 found no association. There was no clear dose-response relationship between duration of breastfeeding and metabolic syndrome risk and insufficient evidence to demonstrate an added effect of being exclusively breastfed. The overall quality of the articles was moderate. In general, lower quality articles found no significant association, whereas higher quality articles found a significant association. Our review demonstrated a limited amount of high-quality research on the relationship between being breastfed and development of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. The evidence presented in this review suggests that being breastfed may be protective against metabolic syndrome, but further research with improvements in study design, such as improved measurement of breastfeeding and the use of prospectively collected data, will improve our understanding of this relationship.

Asthma: profile of infant population at the Health Center of Vitória Régia, Sorocaba

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that not only constitutes a public health issue, but also compromises the development of children affected by the condition. Its multifactorial origin suggests that the association of certain factors, such as low maternal education, passive smoking, inadequate hygiene and immunization and limited breast-feeding, causes higher asthma incidence. Study design: descriptive study. Aims of the study: to determine the profile and factors associated to the asthmatic children participating in the Asthma Control Program at the Health Center of Vitória Régia, Sorocaba/SP. Methods: Descriptive study conducted with the infant population of the Asthma Control Program, composed of 42 children. Children between 5 and 7 years old were included in the study and, as an exclusion criterion, children whose responsible did not agree to participate in the research. During the period of October 2014 to April 2015 questionnaires were applied to the responsible for the participating minor, after signature of a written informed consent. The collected data were analyzed by multivariate statistics. Results: Results indicated that the participating children are majorly male (66.7%), without history of intrauterine exposure to tobacco(89,7%) or passive smoking (69,2%), and received exclusive breast-feeding (92,3%) until approximately 5 months of age. The majority of children did not present diarrhea or respiratory infections in the first year of life and were not diagnosed with rhinitis and/or eczema. However, we verified that most infants have family history of asthma and/ or atopy. The factorial analysis showed that the first three factors describe 80,71% of the variability of the sample. Statistically, the variables gender, animal presence, rhinitis and/or eczema diagnosis and breastfeeding stand out in the description of the studied population. Conclusions: We concluded that the findings of this study are, in many of the analyzed items, compatible with current literature. Variables such as gender and animal presence were consistent with findings from other studies, even considering the convenience sample. Regarding breastfeeding and its duration, the results contradict some scientific references, reinforcing that conclusions are conflicting in this aspect. Despite many studies that refer a beneficial effect of breastfeeding on the prevention of asthma, this variable was strongly associated to the analyzed sample. The application of a multivariate analysis allowed the identification of the variables most relevant to this group, among the main existing risk factors for asthma

Does breastfeeding help to reduce the risk of childhood overweight and obesity? A propensity score analysis of data from the KiGGS study.

BackgroundCurrent studies suggest that the beneficial effect of breastfeeding on overweight and obesity may have been largely overestimated. We examined the relationship between >4 months of full breastfeeding and overweight/obesity in children living in Germany.MethodsWe analyzed retrospectively collected data on breastfeeding from children aged 3–17 years who participated in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS baseline study) between 2003 and 2006 (n = 13163). To minimize confounding, we applied propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression analyses to estimate the effect of breastfeeding on childhood overweight and obesity.ResultsAdjusted analyses of the matched dataset (n = 8034) indicated that children who were breastfed for <4 months had a significant reduction in the odds of overweight (OR 0.81 [95% CI 0.71–0.92]) and obesity (OR 0.75 [95% CI 0.61–0.92]) compared to children who were not breastfed or who were breastfed for a shorter duration. Further analyses stratified by age group showed that the association was strongest in children aged 7–10 years (OR 0.67 [95% CI 0.53–0.84] for overweight and OR 0.56 [95% CI 0.39–0.81] for obesity), while no significant effect could be seen in other age groups.DiscussionOur findings support the hypothesis that breastfeeding does have a beneficial effect on childhood overweight and obesity, although the effect seems to be strongest in children of primary school age.

Allaitement maternel : les bénéfices pour la santé de l’enfant et de sa mère

The prevalence of breastfeeding in France is one of the lowest in Europe: 65% of infants born in France in 2010 were breastfed when leaving the maternity ward. Exclusive breastfeeding allows normal growth until at least 6 months of age, and can be prolonged until the age of 2 years or more, provided that complementary feeding is started after 6 months. Breast milk contains hormones, growth factors, cytokines, immunocompetent cells, etc., and has many biological properties. The composition of breast milk is influenced by gestational and postnatal age, as well as by the moment of the feed. Breastfeeding is associated with slightly enhanced performance on tests of cognitive development. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 3 months is associated with a lower incidence and severity of diarrhoea, otitis media and respiratory infection. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months is associated with a lower incidence of allergic disease (asthma, atopic dermatitis) during the first 2 to 3 years of life in at-risk infants (infants with at least one first-degree relative presenting with allergy). Breastfeeding is also associated with a lower incidence of obesity during childhood and adolescence, as well as with a lower blood pressure and cholesterolemia in adulthood. However, no beneficial effect of breastfeeding on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has been shown. Maternal infection with hepatitis B and C virus is not a contraindication to breastfeeding, as opposed to HIV infection and galactosemia. A supplementation with vitamin D and K is necessary in the breastfed infant. Very few medications contraindicate breastfeeding. Premature babies can be breastfed and/or receive mother's milk and/or bank milk, provided they receive energy, protein and mineral supplements. Return to prepregnancy weight is earlier in breastfeeding mothers during the 6 months following delivery. Breastfeeding is also associated with a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in the premenopausal period, and of osteoporosis in the postmenopausal period.

Evaluation of the Profile of Women’s After Breast Reconstruction for Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the type of cancer that affects more women worldwide. In 2012, we expect, for Brazil, 52,680 new cases of breast cancer. Current studies show that the loss of the breast, takes a constant reminder of cancer, moreover shows psychological impact with shock in self-esteem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational, transversal, retrospective, conducted in 88 patients in the period from February 2005 until December 2010 with diagnosis of breast cancer, which were submitted breast reconstruction. The study will focus on major risk factors such as age, menarche, family history of breast cancer, parity, initial tumor stage and surgery . . Results and DISCUSSION: The data showed 68% of patients were in the state, the average age of these patients was 42 years,data showed increased demand by of patients in the interior. Menarche over 13 years around 61% and 79% of patients were children, with mean age of 22 years at first pregnancy, which found that 57% breastfed their children. The early menarche, under 13 increases the relative risk twice more, covering only 39% of patients. Pregnancy under 20 years is a protective factor, this was seen in 80% of patients. It is 4-60% the beneficial effect of breastfeeding. The complaint that led the patients to the clinic was the presence of a palpable nodule covering 93%. There is great difficulty in early diagnosis, despite campaigns on breast cancer, the patients tend to seek services when they feel a lump, and still delay seeking medical attention. The stage I and II was found in 60% of patients. CONCLUSION: The woman is subject to having breast cancer, risk factors that have supported in the literature, had little relationship to that studied patients. The use of techniques oncoplastics, brought comfort and quality of life not only for patients and family but for doctors who give the news about the disease.

Cytokine expression in the colostral cells of healthy and allergic mothers

There is no doubt about the beneficial effect of breastfeeding on the newborn's immune system. It is not fully elucidated what the differences are between the colostrum/milk of healthy and allergic mothers and how beneficial breastfeeding by an allergic mother is. The gene expression of selected cytokines was tested in cells isolated from colostra of healthy and allergic mothers using quantitative real-time PCR. Allergic phenotype was evident in colostral cells of allergic mothers: gene expressions of IL-4, IL-13 and EGF were increased and those of IFN-gamma decreased in comparison with colostral cells of healthy mothers. The allergic phenotype of the colostral cells of allergic mothers supporting the bias to a Th2 type response was found. It remains a question if a small number of these cells could influence the immature newborn immune system.

Environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins

Polychlorinated biphenyl's (PCBs) and dioxins are environmental pollutants. Calculated on a body weight basis, prenatally as well as postnatally through breast‐feeding, large amounts are transferred from mother to the child. Formula is free of these substances. Considering their potential developmental neurotoxicity, we investigated long‐term effects of perinatal exposure to PCBs and dioxins on neurological and cognitive development. Methods. A group of 418 infants were followed from birth up to 6 years of age. Half of them were fully breast fed (BF) for at least 6 weeks. Prenatal PCB exposure was measured from cord and maternal blood. Postnatal exposure was reflected by PCB and dioxin levels in breast and formula milk and plasma PCB concentrations at 42 months of age. Both neurological and cognitive development were taken as outcome variables at 18, 42 months and at 6 years of age. At 18 and 42 months neurological condition was evaluated according to Hempel and Touwen and at 6 years of age according to Touwen. Condition was evaluated in terms of optimality. Separately, the fluency of movements was scored. Cognitive abilities were measured at 18 months by means of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, at 42 months of age by the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K‐ABC) and at 6 years of age by the McCarthy Scales. Results. At 18 months of age cognitive development was not affected by either pre‐ or postnatal exposure to the measured PCBs and dioxins. However, neurological examination showed an adverse effect of prenatal exposure to the measured pollutants on the neurological optimality score. At 42 months of age we found negative associations between prenatal PCB exposure and cognitive development. However, no effect was demonstrated of postnatal exposure to the measured pollutants. Neurological development was not affected by either pre‐ or postnatal exposure to PCBs and dioxins. At 6 years of age the preliminary results showed no evidence that cognitive and neurological development are affected by pre‐ and postnatal exposure to these pollutants. Despite a higher PCB exposure from breast milk we found at 18 months, 42 months of age, and at 6 years of age a beneficial effect of breast feeding on the quality of movements, in terms of fluency. Conclusion. These data support the evidence obtained from similar studies in the USA that prenatal exposure to PCBs may have subtle negative effects on early neurological and cognitive development of the child. Further studies are required to evaluate these findings in other parts of the world. Our studies showed consistently a beneficial effect of breast‐feeding on brain development from 18 months up to school age.

Breastfeeding and neurological outcome at 42 months.

This study investigated the effect of early feeding mode on the neurological condition at 42 months. For this purpose, healthy pregnant women were recruited in Groningen and Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Children were healthy and born at term. At 42 months, the children were neurologically examined by means of the Touwen/Hempel technique. In addition to the clinical diagnosis, the neurological findings were interpreted in terms of optimality. Special attention was paid to the quality of movements in terms of fluency. In total, 200 (51%) exclusively breastfed(for > or = 6 weeks) and 194 (49%) formula-fed children were studied. Twelve (3%) 42-month-old children were considered to be neurologically mildly abnormal and 1 child was diagnosed as abnormal. No effect of the type of feeding was found on the clinical diagnosis or the neurological optimality. After adjustments for study centre and social, obstetric, perinatal and neonatal neurological differences, a beneficial effect of breastfeeding on the fluency of movements was found (odds ratio for non-optimal fluency 0.56; 95% confidence interval 0.37-0.85). The prolongation of full breastfeeding beyond 6 weeks did not influence the quality of movements. In conclusion, among Dutch preschool children, there was a small advantageous effect of full breastfeeding during the first 6 weeks of life on the fluency of movements.

Breastfeeding and neurological outcome at 42 months

This study investigated the effect of early feeding mode on the neurological condition at 42 months. For this purpose, healthy pregnant women were recruited in Groningen and Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Children were healthy and born at term. At 42 months, the children were neurologically examined by means of the Touwen/Hempel technique. In addition to the clinical diagnosis, the neurological findings were interpreted in terms of optimality. Special attention was paid to the quality of movements in terms of fluency. In total, 200 (51%) exclusively breastfed (for ≥ 6 weeks) and 194 (49%) formula‐fed children were studied. Twelve (3%) 42‐month‐old children were considered to be neurologically mildly abnormal and 1 child was diagnosed as abnormal. No effect of the type of feeding was found on the clinical diagnosis or the neurological optimality. After adjustments for study centre and social, obstetric, perinatal and neonatal neurological differences, a beneficial effect of breastfeeding on the fluency of movements was found (odds ratio for non‐optimal fluency 0.56; 95% confidence interval 0.37‐0.85). The prolongation of full breastfeeding beyond 6 weeks did not influence the quality of movements. In conclusion, among Dutch preschool children, there was a small advantageous effect of full breastfeeding during the first 6 weeks of life on the fluency of movements.

Infant nutrition and cognitive development in the first offspring of a national UK birth cohort

Several studies show a modest beneficial effect of breastfeeding on cognitive development after controlling for sociodemographic confounders. It is still unclear, however, to what extent this is due to the nutritional advantage of breast milk or to environmental influences associated with breastfeeding. We compared verbal ability scores at age 8 years in 511 first-born offspring of the National Survey of Health and Development who were ever or never breastfed, adjusting for paternal occupation, maternal education, maternal cognitive performance, attendance at nursery school, and maternal age at birth of the participant. A positive association between breastfeeding and cognitive performance was found but this was no longer the case after adjusting for either paternal occupation, maternal education, or maternal cognitive performance in turn. In contrast, an association between breastfeeding and cognitive function was not found for mothers of these offspring. Breastfeeding was increasingly associated with a non-manual social class across the generations although it remains unclear how this might mediate the effect of breastfeeding on cognitive performance.

The Gulf War, child nutrition and feeding practices in Iraq

We conducted a cross-sectional study, which included 420 children to investigate the association between feeding practices and growth of children 0–18 months of age, who were attending maternal and child health clinics (MCHCs) in Basrah city, Iraq, 6 months after the Gulf War in 1991. Children who were bottle-fed, had lower mean Z-scores for all anthropometric indices compared to children who were breast-fed. Similar results were observed for mixed bottle and breast feeding compared with breast feeding for weight-for-height and weight-for-age indices. The beneficial effect of breast feeding for all growth indices was not limited to the youngest age group, but was observed across all age categories. This association was modified by socio-economic status. Based on this study, breast feeding should be promoted for children up to 18 months of age and older, given its potential for averting child malnutrition and mortality. Breast feeding promotion should be coupled with nutrition supplementation for both pregnant and lactating women at risk. Nutrition supplementation should also be provided to infants 4–6 months of age and older to ensure adequate caloric intake. Given the current economic situation in Iraq, adequate resources need to be ensured by the international community in order to sustain these public health efforts.

Platelet-activating factor-induced ischemic bowel necrosis: the effect of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase.

In the present investigation, the rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was further developed by injection of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the descending aorta. The role of the plasma PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) was examined in the prevention of this disease. PAF (0.35 micrograms) caused ischemic intestinal necrosis when administered intraaortically. The effects of PAF injection on the small intestine were examined histologically in samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The administration of PAF resulted in extensive hemorrhagic damage in all regions of the small bowel and a marked hemoconcentration. Pretreatment of the rats with dexamethasone or medroxyprogesterone significantly increased plasma PAF-AH activity. Dexamethasone and medroxyprogesterone prevented the gross and histologic features of NEC as well as the hemoconcentration. In contrast, lower amounts of PAF were sufficient to cause bowel necrosis and hemoconcentration when decreased activities of plasma PAF-AH were induced by 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol or 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine administration. We have recently reported that PAF-AH is present in human milk. The beneficial effect of breast feeding in preventing the development of NEC in the newborn is discussed and a mechanism proposed to explain this finding. It is suggested that PAF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NEC and that the increased plasma activity of PAF-AH caused by dexamethasone and the presence of this enzyme, of milk origin, in the lumen of the small bowel may prove to be beneficial in the prevention of this disease.

Feeding practices and growth in Yemeni children.

A nutritional survey in the Tihama region of Yemen allowed an analysis of the relationship between infant feeding practices and the growth of children 3-23 months of age. The survey was conducted in 1979 on a representative sample of 364 preschool children 3-23 months of age. After adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors, breast feeding was found to be associated with higher weight-for-length and weight-for-age. The strongest beneficial effect of breast feeding on weight-for-length was seen at 3-6 months, a weaker effect at 7-12 months, and essentially no effect over 12 months of age. A higher weight-for-age was seen in breast-fed infants 3-6 months of age only. Introducing other foods was associated with higher weight-for-length only in children 13-23 months of age. Neither breast feeding nor introducing other foods was associated with length-for-age. Infant feeding practices appear to be associated with weight gain, but not linear growth in Yemeni infants.

Contribution of rhinoviruses to respiratory viral infections in childhood: a prospective study in a mainly hospitalized infant population.

A prospective study was carried out to investigate the contribution of rhinoviruses to respiratory viral infections in children and to investigate the influence of age, passive smoking, and educational level of the head of the family on the clinical course of viral respiratory disease. Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 519 infants (90.8% inpatients, 9.2% outpatients) were screened for the presence of rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses, parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, 3, influenza virus types A and B, and enteroviruses by tissue culture isolation procedure, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and/or indirect immunofluorescence method. The total detection rate was 42.4%. The rate decreased with increasing age. Higher detection rates were observed in specimens from children suffering from a more severe respiratory disease, and the highest rate of virus-positive specimens was found in those aged 0-6 months. Second to RSV (23.1%), rhinoviruses were the most frequently recovered pathogens found in 11.8% of children with acute respiratory tract infections (RTI). In the age group 0-6 months the majority of severe respiratory illnesses was due to RSV. In infants aged 6 months to 1 year a decrease in the number of severe illnesses caused by RSV and an increase in the number of children suffering from a more severe RTI caused by rhinoviruses was found. With the possible exception of one group of children infected with rhinoviruses, a negative effect of passive smoking on the incidence and severity of viral RTI could not be established. A beneficial effect of breast feeding on the severity of viral RTI could not be definitely demonstrated.

"Factors Affecting Infant and Child Mortality"

This paper examines the determinants of infant and child mortality variations in Jordan Yemen Egypt and Tunisia using data from WFS surveys. The analysis considers biological correlates of mortality--mothers age birth order birth interval and previous infant loss--and several social factors--mothers and fathers education mothers residence fathers occupation and mothers work experience since marriage. The estimates for the 4 countries show large variations in the mortality rates and an expected pattern of declining infant and child mortality during the period of 20 years prior to the survey. Further the proportionate decline in child mortality in each country was generally greater than the proportionate decline in infant mortality. A persistent pattern of higher child mortality for females than for males is found suggesting preferential care and treatment of male offspring. The higher mortality risk is found for infants born to very young and very old mothers with short previous birth intervals of higher birth orders and where the previous infant had died. Among the socioeconomic characteristics the education of the mother and rural-urban residence are found to affect infant survival. In childhood among the demographic factors only birth interval shows a significant effect on mortality. The risk of child mortality decreases considerably with the increase in the birth interval. The analysis of the effect of breastfeeding on mortality although based on limited information clearly shows the beneficial effect of breastfeeding on the infants survival especially during the early months of life. For all countries the mortality rate for the non-breastfeeders is substantially higher than for the breastfeeders even when the effect of the other covariates is controlled.

689 BREAST FEEDING AND PREVENTION OF ATOPIC ECZEMA

The offspring of parents suffering from atopic disease are at higher risk of developing eczema, asthma and other manifestations of allergy compared with children of non-atopic parents. In a group of 31 such “high risk” neonates, breast feeding was employed as the exclusive form of infant feeding for the first 8 weeks or longer after birth. Followup for 12 to 36 months (mean 20.6 months) showed the development of clinical eczema in 4, compared with 19 of 31 matched controls fed cow's milk formula. Serum IgE concentration at one year of age was elevated in the artificially fed (121 ± 39 IU/ml) and normal in the breast fed (17 ± 8 IU/ml). The incidence of positive radioallergosorbent test for IgE antibodies to cow's milk, complement activation in vivo after challenge with cow's milk, and of respiratory disease characterized by bronchospasm, was higher in the cow's milk fed group. These data confirm the positive beneficial effect of breast feeding in the prevention of atopic disease in early childhood.