Abstract

RISK OF PEDIATRIC MORTALITY AND HOSPITALIZATION RELATED TO SUBOPTIMAL BREAST-FEEDING PRACTICES

S. M. G. Ishrar*, B. Thejeswari, G.S.B. Pavaneesh Reddy and B. Manvitha

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 53% of pneumonia and 45% of diarrhea deaths were due to poor feeding practices during the first six months of life. Suboptimal breastfeeding is estimated to be responsible for 1.4 million child death and 43.5 million disability adjusted life years with nonexclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months. Objective: The current study was performed to assess the sub-optimal breastfeeding complication in neonates and to identify the reasons and complications in newborns due to suboptimal breastfeeding practice and to educate mothers regarding the importance of breastfeeding. Material and Methods: The prospective crosssectional study was performed among 250 breastfeeding mothers, neonates and infants for six months. Descriptive and Regression analysis was done after collecting data. Results: In a total of 250 patients, children of 7-14 months were hospitalized due to sub-optimal breastfeeding practice in 1 to 2 hours patients were (2.8%) low. Duration of breastfeeding for 6 months to 1year patients were (54.8%) greater than mothers providing breastfeeding over one year. Exclusive breast-feeding patients were (76%) high, Non-exclusive breastfeeding patients (12.4%) and bottle-feeding patients were (4.4%) low. Conclusion: Knowledge and outcomes regarding healthy breastfeeding practices are found to be less in women of the region, leading to untoward pediatric hospitalization; which could be limited by educating and creating awareness in breastfeeding women by effective counseling on diets and lifestyle modifications for which pharmacists' role is recommended.

Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, Complimentary food, Infant feeding practices.