Does Breastfeeding Protect Against Less Common Infections?
February 11, 2008 by Amy Spangler | 3 questions or comments
credits: iStockphoto
A VP shunt is used to relieve pressure inside the skull caused by fluid accumulation in the brain—a condition known as hydrocephalus. The fluid is drained from the ventricles of the brain through a catheter into the abdominal cavity or, in rare instances, into the chest.
Study Methods
Researchers at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Tehran, Iran conducted a cohort study from December 2003 to December 2006. The sample included 127 infants with hydrocephalus who were treated with a VP shunt in the first 6 months of life. Infants were classified as exclusively breastfed (EBF), receiving combination feedings of breastmilk and formula (CFBF), or exclusively formula-fed (EFF). Infants were carefully monitored for a period of 6 months after placement of the shunt to determine the occurrence of infection.
Results
Infants ranged in age from 4 to 170 days at the time of shunt insertion—57.5% were EBF, 25.2% were CFBF, and 17.3% were EFF. During the follow-up period, shunt infection occurred in 16 patients. The 6-month risk of shunt infection was 8.5% in the EBF group, 16.5% in the CFBF group, and 26.0% in the EFF group. There was no statistically significant difference between these 3 groups. The trend test showed a significant trend between the extent of breastfeeding and the risk of shunt infection, which persisted even after adjustment for potential confounding variables.
Conclusions
The authors concluded, “This study supports the protective effect of breastfeeding against shunt infection during the first 6 months of life and the presence of a dose–response relationship, such that the higher the proportion of an infant’s feeding that comes from human milk, the lower the incidence of shunt infection.”
The take home message—mothers of infants with VP shunts should be encouraged to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months.
You might want to re-title this article. “Against Less Infections” sounds like you’re saying that breastfeeding keeps babies from having fewer infections. We know this to be false, and I don’t think that is what you’re trying to say. I just thought this title could be a bit misleading. However, if you are trying to grab a reader’s attention, then by all means, leave it be. It got my attention and I definitely stopped to read it. =)
Thank you for your site’s wonderful information! I am a breastfeeding mom, and I enjoy reading your blog!
Hopefully the revised title will capture readers’ attention without creating confusion. Thank you so much for your input.
Amy, this is a really interesting article — about research that I was unfamiliar with. Thank you! Best regards, Sally