文本框: MORBIDITY PATTERNS AMONG BREASTFED, FORMULA-FED AND MIXED-FED INFANTS IN A MOTHER-BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITAL
Agulay E, Matias A
Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital And Medical Center
Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Obejective: To determine morbidity patterns among breastfed, formula-     fed and mixed-fed infants.
Methods: This study included term infants born from October, 1997 to September, 1998 followed up at the outpatient department up to 4 months of life. Data were analyzed using the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test and the Pearson Chi-square test.
Results: A total of 140 babies completed the study. 83 (59%) were breastfed with a mean weight at 4 months (5.0733 kg), 15(11%) were formula-fed (4.723 kg) and 42 (30%) were mixed-fed (5.1341 kg). They contracted 7 different diseases; the most common of which is Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). Incidence of diseases was lowest among purely breastfed  (17%), mixed-fed (26%), formula-fed (40%). There was a significant relationship between the type of feeding and frequency of illness with a p=.000276. Most of the mothers who breastfed reached or finished college with significant association of education and type of feeding  p=.0004495. Reasons for shifting feeding to mixed or formula feeding: work, insufficient milk, illness of the mother, and others.
Conclusion: Breastfeeding during the first four months of life lowers incidence of infant diseases. URI was the most common illness. Work is the main reason why mothers fail to breastfeed. Most babies (59%) were exclusively breastfed but not long enough therefore motivation has to continue with the mother-baby friendly program.
1929