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Breastfeeding and the Risk of Infant Illness in Asia: A Review

Author

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  • Mi Kyung Lee

    (College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia)

  • Colin Binns

    (School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia)

Abstract

Infancy remains the most vulnerable period of human life for death, illness, and establishing a lifetime trajectory of growth and health. It is estimated that there are 5.3 million deaths under five years of age worldwide and approximately 800,000 lives could be saved by improving breastfeeding rates and duration. In Asia, an estimated 300,000–350,000 child deaths could be prevented with optimal breastfeeding and the majority would be under 12 months of age. We present a systematic review of studies of infection and breastfeeding in infants in Asia and further review interactions of selected infectious diseases and breastfeeding. Initially, 2459 records of possible interest were identified, 153 full text papers were reviewed in detail, and 13 papers describing diarrhoeal disease and/or acute respiratory tract infection were selected for inclusion in the review. Additional papers were selected to discuss specific diseases and their relationship to breastfeeding. The review found that a variety of methods were used with differing definitions of breastfeeding and diseases. Overall, breastfeeding when compared to the use of infant formula, is associated with significantly lower rates of diarrhoeal disease and lower respiratory tract infection, with a reduction of 50% or more to be expected, especially in infants under six months of age. The relationship between breastfeeding and specific diseases including measles and HTLV1 were reviewed. Breastfeeding reduces some disease rates, but there remain a few conditions where breastfeeding may be contra-indicated.

Suggested Citation

  • Mi Kyung Lee & Colin Binns, 2019. "Breastfeeding and the Risk of Infant Illness in Asia: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:186-:d:302303
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shanshan Li & Ai Yue & Cody Abbey & Alexis Medina & Yaojiang Shi, 2019. "Breastfeeding and the Risk of Illness among Young Children in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Naomi Bergin & Janice Murtagh & Roy K. Philip, 2018. "Maternal Vaccination as an Essential Component of Life-Course Immunization and Its Contribution to Preventive Neonatology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-12, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Raffaele Domenici & Francesco Vierucci, 2022. "Exclusive Breastfeeding and Vitamin D Supplementation: A Positive Synergistic Effect on Prevention of Childhood Infections?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-29, March.
    2. Thi Thuy Duong Doan & Colin Binns & Ngoc Minh Pham & Yun Zhao & Thi Phuong Hoa Dinh & Thi Thu Ha Bui & Trung Chuyen Tran & Xuan Hoai Nguyen & Roslyn Giglia & Fenglian Xu & Andy Lee, 2020. "Improving Breastfeeding by Empowering Mothers in Vietnam: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Mobile App," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Rossi, Elodie & Levasseur, Pierre & Clément, Matthieu, 2024. "“Mother's milk”: Is there a social reversal in breastfeeding practices along with economic development?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 345(C).
    4. Li-Tung Huang, 2020. "Maternal and Early-Life Nutrition and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-4, October.

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