Abstract

ALZATE-MEZA, María Camila et al. A cross-sectional study of maternal breastfeeding as protection factor for prevalent diseases in children up to 5 years of age in some Colombian educational institutions, 2009. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2011, vol.62, n.1, pp.57-63. ISSN 0034-7434.

Objective: establishing the frequency of use and exploring the role of exclusive maternal breastfeeding for up to six months as a protection factor against prevalent diseases in children up to 5 years of age in a determined Colombian population. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out in some kindergartens in the towns of Palestina, Ibagué and Pereira (Colombia). The study population was chosen by convenience sampling. Base characteristics such as type of feeding, maternal breastfeeding time, complementary feeding time, respiratory disease, appendicitis, acute diarrheic disease, diabetes mellitus, dermatitis, gastroesophageal reflux, malnutrition, obesity and cardiorespiratory affection were evaluated. Results: 311 children participated in the study. 92% maternal breastfeeding frequency was found (98.1% in Ibagué, 90.5% Pereira, 87.9% in Palestina) and a significant association was found between maternal breastfeeding and bronchiolitis, gastroesophageal reflux, broncho-obstructive syndrome, malnutrition and cardiorespiratory affection. Conclusions: the importance of maternal breastfeeding was confirmed as a protection factor for prevalent diseases during infancy.

Keywords : maternal breastfeeding; risk control; primary prevention; pediatrics.

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