Protective Effect of Breast Milk Against Urinary Tract Infection

Objective: Human milk provides protection against infections. Protection against gastrointestinal and respiratory infections and otitis media is well documented. Protection against urinary tract infection is less recognised. The aim of this study was to assess the possible protective effect of breast feeding against urinary tract infection in children. Methods: In this prospective case-control study, cases were 50 infants with documented urinary tract infection during the first year of life and controls consisted of 50 healthy children less than 1 year. The children according to the type of feeding were categorised into three groups: breast feeding, formula feeding, mixed feeding. Results: Breast fed infants had significantly a lower risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) than formula fed and mix feeding infants (OR=0.1 95%CI, 0.027-0.329 and OR=0.33 95%CI, 0.124-0.866 respectively). Mix-fed infants had a decreased risk of UTI than formula-fed infants (OR=0.3 95%CI, 0.091-0.92).A longer duration of breast feeding gave a lower risk of UTI (OR=0.29 95%CI, 0.121-0.714). Conclusion: On the basis of this data, breast feeding has a protective effect against urinary tract infection.