Modes of Feeding and Eczema In Infancy

<p>Eczema is common in infancy, and some modes of feeding may be risks factor for the disease. However, most studies on infant feeding do not sufficiently differentiate between the various modes of feeding, particularly not between direct breast feeding and feeding of expressed breast milk. Data came from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, including approximately 2,500 infants with feeding information collected at nine time points from month 2 to 12 after birth. Seven modes of infant feeding comprising direct breast feeding, indirect breast feeding, and formula were identified. To investigate the association between eczema and modes of feeding, repeated measurements were analyzed using general estimating equation models. Any infant feeding in months 2 to 6 that included bottled breast milk was a risk factor for eczema in subsequent months 3 to 7 (OR: 1.29, [1.01, 1.65]). There was no evidence of selection of infant feeding due to maternal history of eczema, nor was there a change in mode of feeding subsequent to an infant developing eczema (reverse causation). We recommend that women should directly breast feed their infants as indirect breast feeding does not convey the same benefits.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.P.H.

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Agarwal, Saroochi

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wilfried Karmaus

• Epidemiology
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Public Health

Statement dc:rights

• © 2010, Saroochi Agarwal

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/303

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-1304