The Effect of Exclusive Breastfeeding on Development and Incidence of Infection in Infants

Abstract

Of 145 normal fullterm infants studied during the first year after birth, those exclusively breastfed for the first four months differed significantly from those not exclusively breastfed in physical and behavioral development, and resistance to infec tion. At four months of age, the mean weight of the exclusively breastfed group was higher (p<0.05). At one year, the exclusively breastfed group showed more advanced. Personal-Social (p=0.05) and Gross Motor development (p<0.05) on the Denver Develop mental Screening Test, and lesser cumulative incidence of infectious diseases (p<0.05). This study demonstrated the beneficial effects of breastfeeding on development and resis tance to infection in infants. JHL 12:27-30, 1996.

Keywords

breastfeeding exclusive development infant infection

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