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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 1991 37(6):275-279; doi:10.1093/tropej/37.6.275
© 1991 by Oxford University Press
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Does Breastfeeding Influence Mortality in Children Hospitalized with Diarrhoea?

H. P. S. Sachdev*,, Shiv Kumar**, K. K. Singh** and R. K. Puri*

*Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi 110 002, India
**Indian Council of Medical Research New Delhi 110 023, India

Correspondence: Dr H. P. S. Sachdev, D 11/145, West Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi 110 023, India.

The association between breastfeeding and mortality in children hospitalized for diarrhoea was investigated in a prospective manner in 309 subjects below 18 months of age. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, 36 cases who died were compared with 273 controls who were discharged in a satisfactory condition. Breastfeeding had a strong protective effect against mortality even after allowance was made for confounding variables (including nutritional status, chronicity of illness, associated nonenteral infections) and a possible bias of interruption of breastfeeding as an early consequence of the terminal illness. The adjusted odd's ratio (OR) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (95 per cent CI) for the protective effect were 2.7 and 2.1–3.6, respectively. The adjusted OR's (95 per cent CI's) were 6.0 (3.6–10.2), 2.6 (2.0–3.4), and 1.8 (1.4–2.5) for the age intervals 0–6, 7–12, and 13–18 months, respectively (P<0.001, <0.01, and <0.05, respectively). Further stratified analyses suggested a greater benefit in children with severe wasting, severe stunting, protracted illness, and diarrhoea as the sole illness. It is concluded that in children up to 18 months of age, breastfeeding offers substantial protection against death in children hospitalized with diarrhoea.


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