effect of breast feeding on amoebiasis, giardiasis, and cryptosporidiosis in children below the age of two years

ABSTRACT

To determine the effect of breast feeding on amoebiasis, giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in infants in our region. Stool samples were collected from 180 children below 2 years of age who suffered from acute diarrhea. There were 81 breast fed, 49 bottle fed, and 50 mixed bottle and breast fed children. The direct smear method and then formalin-ether sedimentation were carried out to detect intestinal parasites. Fecal smears were prepared from the sediment and stained by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method for the recovery of acid-fast oocysts of Cryptosporidium. Intestinal amoebiasis, giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis were found at the highest rates [53%, 55% and 64% respectively] among bottle fed children. Collectively, 16.3% of the bottle fed children with diarrhea tested positive for parasitic infections. Breast feeding appears to reduce the risk of these parasitic infections and should be encouraged