Breastfeeding can prevent this health condition in childhood

A new study reveals that in addition to all its known benefits, breastfeeding also reduces the risk of lower respiratory tract infections and the development of asthma and allergic rhinitis in childhood

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health

03/08/2022

Wednesday, 03 August 2022, 06:45 Updated: 07:54

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A direct connection between breastfeeding and the composition of the bacteria in the baby's various systems.

Breastfeeding mother (Photo: ShutterStock)

These days Israel is really celebrating Breastfeeding Encouragement Week, and with perfect timing a new study is being published that reveals another health benefit to breast milk.

The results of a new study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology show that breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections and the development of asthma and allergic rhinitis in childhood.

The study, which was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, USA, examined approximately 1949 children who were breastfed at various levels and examined the prevalence and severity of respiratory diseases and allergies in these children. Another group of children was examined in terms of bacterial composition in the nose and system Digestion, as well as the amount of cytokines (proteins that play an important role in the immune system)

The researchers reported that a direct relationship was found between breastfeeding and the composition of bacteria in the baby's various systems, and also exclusive breastfeeding was associated with the amount of epithelial cytokines, which protect against upper respiratory tract infections.

In addition, a positive relationship was found between the extension of exclusive feeding through mother's milk and a reduction in the incidence of allergic reactions and diseases in the lower respiratory tract such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia and asthma.

In fact, every additional month that the baby was exclusively breastfed reduced the risk of developing one of these diseases by 5 percent.

The research findings shed light on the protective mechanisms of breastfeeding, and strengthen the commitment of medical teams to encourage exclusive breastfeeding among mothers.

Yonat Ran, coordinator of the women's health field in the nursing department of Mouhedat, explains that the research findings reinforce the importance of breastfeeding.

"Besides the well-known benefits of breastfeeding, which include strengthening the bond between the mother and her baby, reducing the risk of diseases in the nursing mother such as stroke, heart attacks and various malignancies, as well as convenience, availability and financial savings - we are exposed to more and more studies that indicate the additional benefits of breastfeeding for the nursing baby , including this study which demonstrates a significant reduction in the risk of respiratory infections and allergic reactions."

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