Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of SIDS and epilepsy

It is clear that breastfeeding is the best food the baby can haveTherefore, it is good to publish the results of various studies that confirm it, even when they refer to benefits of a very diverse nature, especially focused on the health of the baby.

In the latest issue of Evidence in Pediatrics we can read a study that shows that breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of sudden death and another study that relates to a lower risk of childhood epilepsy.

Regarding the first case, in recent decades, advances in the study of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) have allowed the identification of various risk factors as well as protectors.

On the influence of breastfeeding, both partial and exclusive, there were to date various tests that suggested a protective effect, and so we have been commenting on various articles.

A systematic review of several previous studies has been made, and it is concluded that the LM protects against the SMSL and this effect is greater when it is exclusive.

Regarding epilepsy, we have a new analytical study, conducted with newborn babies up to 5-12 years, which has shown that children who received breastfeeding more than a month had a lower risk of developing epilepsy when compared to children who received breastfeeding a month or less.

When they were fed breast milk for 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and more than 13 months, they had a risk of epilepsy 26, 39, 50 and 59% lower, respectively, after the first year, when compared to those fed with breast milk for less than a month.

In addition, the authors point out that protection would be greater in the case of exclusive LM, and that a causal relationship could be established by the strength of the association, consistency with other studies and biological plausibility.

Both articles, which associate breastfeeding with the lowest risk of SIDS and epilepsy, add more evidence on the benefits of breastfeeding. One more reason for the recommendation to breastfeed infants to be included in messages intended to reduce the risk of SIDS and to continue promoting LM for its many other benefits for maternal and child health.

Video: Live Q&A: Safe sleep for babies and risks of sudden infant death syndrome SIDS (March 2024).