Timing of Breastfeeding Initiation and Exclusivity of Breastfeeding During the First Month of Life: Effects on Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity--a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal Matern Child Health J

Specialty Health Services

Date 2014 Jun 5

PMID 24894730

Citations 118

Authors

Jehangir Khan

Linda Vesel

Rajiv Bahl

Jose Carlos Martines

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to review the evidence on the effect of initiation of breastfeeding early after birth and of exclusive breastfeeding during the first month in reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity. We searched Cochrane and PubMed databases for all available papers addressing our review questions and identified eleven papers. Data were extracted using a standard abstraction form. Evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Meta-analysis was done using STATA 11.0. Early initiation of breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk of neonatal mortality. Initiating breastfeeding after the first hour doubled the risk of neonatal mortality. Exclusively breastfed neonates had a lower risk of mortality and infection-related deaths in the first month than partially breastfed neonates. Exclusively breastfed neonates also had a significantly lower risk of sepsis, diarrhea and respiratory infections compared with those partially breastfed. The pooled evidence indicates that substantial benefits in reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity can be achieved with effective promotion of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding during the first month of life.

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