文本框: TYPES OF INFANT FEEDING-PRACTICED IN JEDDAH, KINDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA - & ITS REFLECTION ON GASTROINTESTINAL, RESPIRATORY AND ALLERGIC MANIFESTATIONS Al-Hady E.M1, Waly G2 1Consultant Pediatrician, Directorate of Health Affairs, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Professor of Pediatrics, Zagazig University, Egypt 2Professor of Pediatrics, Cairo University, Egypt and Consultant Pediatrician, Al Salamah Hospital, Jeddah, K.S.A. Objective: A total of 3200 mother – infant pairs in Jeddah, were studied to evaluate the types and quality of infant feeding patterns through the 1st year of the life and its reflection on gastrointestinal, respiratory (namely otitis media and respiratory tract infections) and allergic manifestations (eczema and asthma). Methods: They have been tabulated under 7 patterns namely Results: Breast feeding (B.F) only (1.7%), B.F. complemented with Beikosts* and Youghurt (23.8%), B.F. Complemented with Dried Milk, Beikosts and youghurt (34.5%), B.F. 1-4 months then dried milk, Beikosts and youghurt (22.3%), B.F. 1-6 months and or then Fresh Milk and Beikosts (2.2%), Dried milk complemented with Beikosts (14.8%) and Ready-to feed formula with Beikosts (0.7%). So the total cases of Breast Feeding (only or complementary) along the first year were 60.0%. This percentage represents the index of improvement in breast feeding technique as a result of breast feeding promotion program practiced in Jeddah during the 4 years prior to this work. The least gastrointestinal, respiratory and allergic manifestations and least incidence of hospitalization were among the pattern of Breast Feeding Complemented with youghurt and Beikosts along the first year of life. The difference was highly significant (P<0.01). Conclusion: A protocol to guide the lactating mother about the better pattern of infant feeding besides the wise and correct use of complimentary milk feeding is thus adviced. * Beikosts = foods other than milk 0707