THE’feeding with milk would reduce the risk of ENT infection, according to the results of a study published in the journal Pediatrics.
The World Health Organization recommends “exclusive breastfeeding of the infant until the age of six months” and “continued thereafter until the age of at least two years, combining it with a suitable complementary feeding ”. Because, “breast milk is the ideal food for newborns and infants. Indeed, it provides all the nutrients necessary for their development and contains antibodies that protect them from common diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, the two leading causes of child mortality in the world “.
This new study claims that breast-feeding may reduce the risk ofENT infections.
Protect the little ones
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch (USA) analyzed medical data from 367 infants to assess the impact offeeding with milk on the risks of ENT infections.
Scientists have identified 3 factors that reduce the risk ofENT infections babies.
They observed that breastfeeding, vaccination (often proof of a good medical follow-up of the child) and the rate of smoking in the house made it possible to reduce the infections of the little ones.
“Thus, the absence of breastfeeding appears to be a major risk factor for ear infections” explains Dr Tasnee Chonmaitree, professor of pediatrics. “Prolonged breastfeeding is associated with a significant reduction in colds and ear infections. It is likely that the medical interventions developed over the last decades, such as the use of vaccines against pneumonia and influenza and that the reduction of smoking, have also contributed to reducing the incidence of ENT infections in children ”.
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