Breast-feeding; weaning patterns; and the risk of xerophthalmia in Southern Malawi

ABSTRACT

A case-control study of breast-feeding and weaning patterns associated with xerophthalmia was conducted among children aged 24-71 mo in Southern Malawi in 1983. One hundred fifty-two children with active xerophthalmia were compared to 151 clinically normal children matched on age (+/- 12 mo); sex; and village of residence. All children were initially breast-fed; however; children with xerophthalmia began weaning onto porridge (p = 0.05) and ceased breast-feeding earlier (p less than 0.01 for 24-47 mo olds); had a shorter weaning interval (p less than 0.005); and were fully weaned from the breast for a longer duration (p less than 0.025) than the controls. The association between earlier cessation of breast-feeding and subsequent xerophthalmia was strongest during the immediate post- weaning years. These findings imply a protective role for breast- feeding against xerophthalmia in early childhood