Breast-feeding and respiratory syncytial virus infection. Issue 6247 (18th October 1980)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pullan, C R; Toms, G L; Martin, A J; Gardner, P S; Webb, J K; Appleton, D R
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 281:Issue 6247(1980)
• Page Start: 1034
• Page End: 1036
• Publication Date: 1980-10-18
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.281.6247.1034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : The pattern of breast-feeding in 127 infants admitted to hospital with respiratory syncytial virus infection was compared with that in 503 age-matched controls. Thirty per cent of children with infection had been breast-fed compared with 49% of controls. The approximate relative risk of being admitted to hospital with respiratory syncytial virus infection if not breast-fed was 2.2. Several other factors were also considered, including an assessment of maternal care and home environment; the mother's age, marital state, and smoking habits; the number of siblings; and gestation. Adverse factors were all associated with an increased risk of admission with infection, but breast-feeding still appeared to provide protection after controlling for these other factors in turn. These findings provide further support for encouraging mothers to breast-feed their infants and should prompt further studies into the immune status of mothers and into the nature of the protective factors in their breast milk.