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. 2024 Jul 9;16(7):e64194.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.64194. eCollection 2024 Jul.

Comprehensive Analysis of Breastfeeding's Influence on Child Health Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sidra Kamal  1 , Ruchira Clementina  2 , Mubashir Ali Aftab  3 , Aqsa Haider  4 , Muhammad Ibrahim  5 , Nimra Abid  6 , Ayaz Ali  4 , Ashraf Ali  4 , Nida Gul  7 , Afaq Ahmad  5
Affiliations

Comprehensive Analysis of Breastfeeding's Influence on Child Health Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Sidra Kamal et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background Breastfeeding is recognized as a crucial determinant of child health and development, yet its multifaceted effects remain underexplored in many contexts. This cross-sectional study investigates the association between breastfeeding practices and various health and developmental outcomes in infants and young children, focusing on exclusive breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding, and formula feeding. Done at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Pakistan, the research aims to provide comprehensive insights into the nuanced impacts of breastfeeding on child well-being. Objectives This study aims to assess the association between breastfeeding duration and practices with the incidence of infectious diseases in infants and young children. It investigates the relationship between different breastfeeding practices: exclusive breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding, and formula feeding and cognitive development outcomes in early childhood. Additionally, the study evaluates the role of breastfeeding in the development of motor skills in infants and young children. Methodology A cohort of 390 participants, aged one month to three years, participated in the study. Data collection encompassed parental interviews, clinical assessments using standardized tools such as the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and reviews of medical records. Statistical analyses, including frequency analysis and chi-square tests, were conducted to elucidate the relationships between breastfeeding practices and health outcomes. Results Exclusive breastfeeding exhibited a significantly lower incidence of infectious diseases compared to partial breastfeeding and formula feeding. Specifically, among exclusively breastfed children, incidences of colds, pneumonia, and diarrhea were 32%, 39.7%, and 40%, respectively. These rates were notably higher in partially breastfed and formula-fed children. Cognitive development outcomes also varied significantly across feeding groups. Exclusively breastfed children demonstrated superior cognitive performance, with 34.2% rated above average, compared to only 6.5% in the formula-fed group. Additionally, the prevalence of developmental delays was lowest among exclusively breastfed children (14.1%), contrasting with 62.8% in the partial breastfeeding group and 77.0% in the formula-feeding group. Conclusions The study underscores the pivotal role of exclusive breastfeeding in promoting optimal child health and development. Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with significantly reduced incidences of infectious diseases, superior cognitive development outcomes, and a lower prevalence of developmental delays. These findings highlight the importance of supportive interventions and policies aimed at encouraging exclusive breastfeeding practices, ultimately enhancing child well-being and developmental trajectories.

Keywords: breastfeeding practices; child health; cognitive development; cross secional study pakistan; developmental delays; developmental outcomes; exclusive breastfeeding; formula feeding; infectious diseases; partial breastfeeding.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethical Review Board of KMC (IREB KMC) issued approval 679/DME/KMC. We are thankful to the Ethical Review Board of KMC (IREB KMC) and the medical director of Khyber Teaching Hospital for granting us the necessary permissions to conduct our data collection. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Age-frequency graph.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Distribution of breastfeeding practices.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Impact of exclusive breastfeeding on infectious disease outcomes.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Impact of partial breastfeeding on infectious disease outcomes.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Impact of formula feeding only on infectious disease outcomes.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Influence of breastfeeding practices on early childhood cognitive development.
Figure 7
Figure 7. Impact of breastfeeding practices on developmental delay outcomes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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