Impact of Formula Feeding Verses Breast Feeding, On Prevalence of Gastroenteritis, Otitis Media and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections among Infants

Breast milk is considered the gold standard of infant nutrition while commercially available infant formulae are designed to mimic its unique combination of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Breast milk however contains numerous components that cannot be synthesized, including maternally-derived antibodies which protect against disease and infection. A questionnaire based study was conducted on 105 motherinfant pairs, and aimed to compare the prevalence of gastroenteritis, otitis media and lower respiratory tract infections in breast feeding and formula feeding children of age 6 to 24 months. Mothers were interviewed and data about child illnesses and feeding practices was collected. Results showed that the prevalence of gastroenteritis, otitis media and lower respiratory tract infections was less in exclusive breast fed infants as compared to exclusive formula fed infants and partial breast fed infants. Rate of hospitalization due to gastroenteritis and lower respiratory tract infections was higher in exclusive formula fed infants as compared to those who received exclusive breast milk for the first six months of their lives. It is concluded that exclusive breast feeding during first six months of life not only reduce morbidity due to gastroenteritis, otitis media and lower respiratory tract infections but it also helps to reduce the health care cost.