Citation

Popkin, Barry M.; Adair, Linda S.; Akin, John S.; Black, Robert E.; Briscoe, John; & Flieger, Wilhelm (1990). Breast-Feeding and Diarrheal Morbidity. Pediatrics, 86(6), 874-882.

Abstract

This study used a unique longitudinal survey of more than 3000 mother-infant pairs observed from pregnancy through infancy. The sample is representative of infants from the Cebu region of the Philippines. The sequencing of breast-feeding and diarrheal morbidity events was carefully examined in a longitudinal analysis which allowed for the examination of age-specific effects of feeding patterns. Because the work controlled for a wide range of environmental causes of diarrhea, the results can be generalized to other populations with some confidence. The addition to the breast-milk diet of even water, teas, and other nonnutritive liquids doubled or tripled the likelihood of diarrhea. Supplementation of breast-feeding with additional nutritive foods or liquids further increased significantly the risk of diarrhea; most benefits of breast-feeding alone or in combination with nutritive foods/liquids became small during the second half of infancy. Benefits of breast-feeding were slightly greater in urban environments.

URL

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2251024

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

1990

Journal Title

Pediatrics

Author(s)

Popkin, Barry M.
Adair, Linda S.
Akin, John S.
Black, Robert E.
Briscoe, John
Flieger, Wilhelm