Breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking patterns related to the prevalence of anterior open bite in primary dentition

OBJECTIVE: Nutritional, immunological and psychological benefts of exclusive breastfeeding for the frst 6 months of life are unequivocally recognized. However, mothers should also be aware of the importance of breastfeeding for promoting adequate oral development. This study evaluated the association between breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking patterns and the prevalence of anterior open bite in primary dentition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Infant feeding and non-nutritive sucking were investigated in a 3-6 year-old sample of 1,377 children, from São Paulo city, Brazil. Children were grouped according to breastfeeding duration: G1 - non-breastfed, G2 - shorter than 6 months, G3 - interruption between 6 and 12 months, and G4 - longer than 12 months. Three calibrated dentists performed clinical examinations and classifed overbite into 3 categories: normal, anterior open bite and deep bite. Chi-square tests (p<0.05) with odds ratio (OR) calculation were used for intergroup comparisons. The impact of breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking on the prevalence of anterior open bite was analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence estimates of anterior open bite were: 31.9% (G1), 26.1% (G2), 22.1% (G3), and 6.2% (G4). G1 would have signifcantly more chances of having anterior open bite compared with G4; in the total sample (OR=7.1) and in the subgroup without history of non-nutritive sucking (OR=9.3). Prolonging breastfeeding for 12 months was associated with a 3.7 times lower chance of having anterior open bite. In each year of persistence with non-nutritive sucking habits, the chance of developing this malocclusion increased in 2.38 times. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking durations demonstrated opposite effects on the prediction of anterior open bite. Non-breastfed children presented signifcantly greater chances of having anterior open bite compared with those who were breastfed for periods longer than 12 months, demonstrating the benefcial infuence of breastfeeding on dental occlusion.

Respiratory infection, exposure to mouse allergen and breastfeeding: role in recurrent wheezing in early life

Background: Environmental factors may influence the development of allergen sensitization and asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endotoxin and allergen exposure in early life as a risk factor for recurrent wheezing. Methods: One hundred and four infants from low-income families, at high risk of asthma, were enrolled at birth. Dust samples were collected from the bedding and bedroom floor within 6 months after birth. Recurrent wheezing was defined as 3 or more wheezing episodes in the past year. Endotoxin was determined by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay, and major indoor allergens were quantitated by ELISA in dust extracts. IgE antibodies were measured by ImmunoCAP at 30 months of age. Results: At 30 months, 51 of the 99 infants who completed the study (51.5 per cent) had recurrent wheezing. Respiratory infection was strongly associated with recurrent wheezing (OR 6.67, 95 per cent CI 1.96-22.72), whereas exclusive breastfeeding for at least 1 month was a protective factor (OR 0.09, 95 per cent CI 0.01-0.51). Exposure to high levels of mouse allergen was more frequent among non-recurrent wheezers, approaching significance (OR 0.12, 95 per cent CI 0.01-1.13; p = 0.064). None of the children were sensitized to mouse. Sensitization to mite was found in 26/90 (28.8 per cent) children, with no association with recurrent wheezing. Conclusion: Respiratory infection was strongly associated with recurrent wheezing in the first 30 months of life, in children at high risk of asthma, living in a socially deprived community in Brazil

Breastfeeding, sleep and wake circadian rhythms show distinct temporal emerging patterns

The emerging patterns of breastfeeding, sleep and wake circadian rhythms in an infant and the breastfeeding emergence pattern of his elder sister are presented. Both children were raised under regular contact with photic and non-photic Zeitgebers. Data are related to the first four months of life of the infants, which correspond to the exclusive and ad libitum breastfeeding stage of their lives. Discrimination is made of fasting-associated-wakefulness (FAW) which is a wake state without feeding. Our data show that while FAW episodes are concentrated in the diurnal phase of the day since the first week of life, breastfeeding rhythm takes longer to show statistically significant circadian periodicity (four weeks) and to become monophasic, concentrated in the diurnal phase of the day (three/four months). This precedence of the consolidation of FAW rhythm indicates tight association between nocturnal sleep fragmentation and the drive to feed, in the first months of life of infants.

Breastfeeding and the responsibilities of GPs: a qualitative study of general practice registrars

The most recent National Health Survey reports that more than 80% of women initiate breastfeeding, while recent studies describe initiation rates of more than 90%. Yet fewer than 50% of women continue to breastfeed for 6 months or longer. This is at odds with National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations that 80% of infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. Women are more likely to initiate and continue to breastfeed if their doctor supports and encourages them to do so. Conversely, women perceive a neutral attitude by doctors toward breastfeeding to be similar to a negative attitude. Therefore, while doctors may not perceive their support or encouragement to be a determining factor in a woman’s breastfeeding decisions, women often place great emphasis on their GP's attitude to breastfeeding and are much more likely to think that information provided by a doctor is important. No previous research in Australia has addressed the issue of how GPs perceive their roles and responsibilities regarding breastfeeding. As part of a larger research project investigating the breastfeeding skills and knowledge of general practice registrars, this article reports the results of qualitative interviews with eight general practice registrars and their views and beliefs about GPs’ responsibilities to breastfeeding women.

Breastfeeding duration in an Australian population: The influence of modifiable antenatal factors

Despite well-documented health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies, most women discontinue breastfeeding before the recommended 12 months to 2 years. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of modifiable antenatal variables on breastfeeding outcomes. A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted with 300 pregnant, Australian women. Questionnaires containing variables of interest were administered to women during their last trimester; infant feeding method was assessed at I week and 4 months postpartum. Intended breastfeeding duration and breastfeeding self-efficacy were identified as the most significant modifiable variables predictive of breastfeeding outcomes. Mothers who intended to breastfeed for < 6 months were 2.4 times as likely to have discontinued breastfeeding at 4 months compared to those who intended to breastfeed for > 12 months (35.7% vs 87.5%). Similarly, mothers with high breastfeeding self-efficacy were more likely to be breastfeeding compared to mothers with low self-efficacy (79.3% vs 50.0%).

Breastfeeding, menopause, and epithelial ovarian cancer

No previous study has examined the modifying effect of menopausal status on the association between lactation and ovarian cancer risk. We recruited 824 epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 855 community controls in three Australian states, collecting reproductive and lactation histories by means of a contraceptive calendar and pregnancy and breastfeeding record. We report results in women with at least one liveborn infant for unsupplemented breastfeeding, in line with a biological model linking suppression of ovulation to reduction in ovarian cancer risk. We derived odds ratios from multiple logistic regression models including number of liveborn children, age, age at first or last birth, and other potential confounders, overall and by menopausal status. Estimates of relative risk of ovarian cancer per month of full lactation were 0.99 [95% confidence interval(CI) = 0.97-1.00] overall and 1.00 (95% CI = 0.99-1.01) and 0.98 (95% CI = 0.95-1.01) among post- and premenopausal women, respectively. We tailored a lactation variable to the incessant ovulation hypothesis by progressively discounting breastfeeding the longer after birth it occurred, finding odds ratios similar to those for the unmodified duration variable. We found no association of note among postmenopausal women. Breastfeeding seems to be somewhat protective against ovarian cancer, but only before menopause.

Exclusive Breastfeeding in Southern Brazil: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Background: Worldwide strategies have been conducted in order to guarantee longer periods of exclusive breastfeeding for most children, especially those from developing countries. The evaluation of infant feeding practices and the identification of weaning risk factors are essential for public health policy planning. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Joinville, the biggest city of Santa Catarina State in the southern Brazilian region. The caregivers of children under 1 year of age were systematically selected for interview in previously drawn immunization units during the 2005 National Vaccination Campaign. A structured questionnaire was applied for collection of infant, maternal, and healthcare variables. A 24-hour food recall survey was included in order to evaluate infant feeding practices. Descriptive statistic analysis on breastfeeding prevalence and Poisson regression analysis of risk factors for discontinuing exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to 6 months of age were performed. Results: Caregivers of 1,470 infants were interviewed. The feeding inquiry showed an overall rate of breastfeeding of 72.5% and a frequency of exclusive breastfeeding of 43.7% and 53.9% among infants younger than 6 and 4 months of age, respectively. The findings associated with the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to 6 months were: higher infant age (P < 0.001), pacifier use (P < 0.001), and lower maternal educational level (P = 0.013). Conclusions: In developing countries, specific strategies must be created for the delivery of information about breastfeeding and the effect of pacifier use, especially for less educated women.

Respiratory Infection, Exposure to Mouse Allergen and Breastfeeding: Role in Recurrent Wheezing in Early Life

Background: Environmental factors may influence the development of allergen sensitization and asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endotoxin and allergen exposure in early life as a risk factor for recurrent wheezing. Methods: One hundred and four infants from low-income families, at high risk of asthma, were enrolled at birth. Dust samples were collected from the bedding and bedroom floor within 6 months after birth. Recurrent wheezing was defined as 3 or more wheezing episodes in the past year. Endotoxin was determined by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay, and major indoor allergens were quantitated by ELISA in dust extracts. IgE antibodies were measured by ImmunoCAP at 30 months of age. Results: At 30 months, 51 of the 99 infants who completed the study (51.5%) had recurrent wheezing. Respiratory infection was strongly associated with recurrent wheezing (OR 6.67, 95% CI 1.96-22.72), whereas exclusive breastfeeding for at least 1 month was a protective factor (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.51). Exposure to high levels of mouse allergen was more frequent among non-recurrent wheezers, approaching significance (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01-1.13; p=0.064). None of the children were sensitized to mouse. Sensitization to mite was found in 26/90 (28.8%) children, with no association with recurrent wheezing. Conclusion: Respiratory infection was strongly associated with recurrent wheezing in the first 30 months of life, in children at high risk of asthma, living in a socially deprived community in Brazil. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Relationship between breastfeeding duration and prevalence of posterior crossbite in the deciduous dentition

Introduction: This cross-sectional retrospective epidemiologic study assessed the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding duration and the prevalence of posterior crossbite in the deciduous dentition. Methods: Clinical examinations were performed in 1377 Brazilian children (690 boys, 687 girls), 3 to 6 years old, from 11 public schools in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Based on questionnaires answered by the parents, the children were classified into 4 groups according to the duration of exclusive breastfeeding: G1, never (119 subjects); G2, less than 6 months (720 subjects); G3, 6 to 12 months (312 subjects); and G4, more than 12 months (226 subjects). The statistical analyses included the chi-square test (P < 0.05) and the odds ratio. Results: The posterior crossbite was observed in 31.1%, 22.4%, 8.3%, and 2.2% of the children, in groups G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively. The results showed a statistically significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding duration and the prevalence of posterior crossbite. Conclusions: Children who were breastfed for more than 12 months had a 20-fold lower risk for the development of posterior crossbite compared with children who were never breastfed and a 5-fold lower risk compared with those breastfed between 6 and 12 months. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2010; 137:54-8)

Association between breastfeeding duration and non-nutritive sucking habits

Objective To evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding duration and the prevalence of non-nutritive Sucking habits in children with deciduous dentition. Method A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the mothers of 551 children aged 3 to 6 years, randomly selected from public pre-schools in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire that included items regarding their children`s age, gender, race, method and duration of infant feeding, as well as pacifier use and/or digit-sucking habits. According to the answers pertinent to the method and duration of infant feeding, children were assigned to five groups: 1 - never breastfed, 2 - breastfed for a period shorter than 3 months of life, 3 - breastfed for 3 to 6 months, 4 - breastfed for 6 to 9 months, and 5 - breastfed for 9 months or longer. Data were submitted to the Fisher`s exact test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons to analyse possible associations between breastfeeding duration period categories and non-nutritive sucking behaviours. Results Pacifier use frequency was high in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 (85%, 87.6%, 78% and 70%, respectively), in comparison with that in group 5 (38.6%). The prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits was significantly reduced in children who were breastfed for nine months or longer (p=0.000). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of pacifier use and/or digit-sucking habits between genders, regardless of the breastfeeding duration period. Conclusion Children aged 3-6 years who were breastfed for nine months or longer had a lower prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits.

Initiating breastfeeding in postwar Queensland

The aim of this article, part of a larger study (Thorley 2000), was to determine and examine the practices which surrounded the initiation of breastfeeding in Queensland maternity hospitals in the postwar period, 1945-1965. Although it was assumed that mothers would breastfeed, and sound advice was available on how to achieve a good latch, the often arbitary delay of the first breastfeed, and consistently restrictive practices surrounding the frequency and duration of the feeds, were not conducive to an optimal start for breastfeeding. Staff shortages compounded the situation. Mothers felt powerless and were commonly not informed about whether their babies were being complemented with pooled breastmilk or artificial infant milk in the central nursery, nor were they asked permission for these to be given to their babies. Pooled breastmilk from the postnatal wards was available throughout this period, though in the latter part of this period there appears to have been an increase in the use of artificial milks.