PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF BREAST MILK ON URINARY TRACT INFECTION IN CHILDREN AGED 0-3 YEARS

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most common infections in childhood. It is well established that breastfeeding reduces the risk of some respiratory tract infections in childhood, but it is still questionable if it has an effect on the rate and severity of UTI. Aim: To investigate the role of breastfeeding on the occurrence and severity of UTIs in children aged 0-3 years in Varna, Bulgaria. Methods: A case-control study was performed in Varna between 2013 and 2015. The frequency, duration and type of breastfeeding practices were assessed in children (from birth till 3 years) diagnosed with UTIs (cases) and in healthy children (controls). Descriptive analysis, parametric and nonparametric methods were used to analyse the collected data. SPSS version 17 was applied. For statistically significant differences a p-value of less than 0.05 was accepted. Results: 216 controls and 108 cases were included in the statistical analysis. The average age of patients and controls was 17.7 ± 1 months. The median of the duration of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding for the cases was 3.5 and 0 months respectively compared to the significantly longer duration in the controls - 6 months and 2 months respectively. Controls were breastfed and exclusively breastfed 2 times longer, and the UTI was not accompanied by high temperature in breastfed cases compared to non- breastfed cases (p <0.05). Conclusions: Longer breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding contributes to protection against the development and lowers severity of UTIs in infants and small children.

Keywords

• breastfeeding
• urinary tract infections
• protection
• infants
• small children