ABSTRACT
Background: The role of breastfeeding in the primary prevention of allergic diseases remains controversial, with hardly any reported studies from developing countries. Objective: To evaluate the association between breastfeeding and the presence of allergies. Specifically, we aimed to demonstrate the association between the exclusivity of breastfeeding and the prevalence of allergies, including asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy. Secondly, to ascertain the impact of feeding cow milk as complimentary feeding on the prevalence of atopy. Finally, we intended to substantiate the association between maternal education and breastfeeding awareness. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted; 182 participants were enrolled. A confidential, anonymous questionnaire was administered to the participantsf mothers (those attending Academy Charity Teaching Hospital with children aged six months to 10 years). Crude associations between exclusive or non-exclusive breastfeeding and atopic diseases were evaluated using Chi-Square Test by computing crude odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) with α level of 0.05. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of exclusive breastfeeding on allergic diseases. The sample was adjusted for confounding factors such as gender, family history, number of siblings, and paternal and/or maternal smoking habits. Results: Of the 182 participants included in this study, 95(52.2%) were not exclusively breastfed, and 87(47.8%) were exclusively breastfed. The prevalence of allergic diseases in the children who received non-exclusive breastfeeding compared with those with exclusive breastfeeding showed a significantly higher prevalence of atopy [OR =3.6 95%CI: 1.87-6.94] with a p-value <0.001, even more, significant when the sample was adjusted for family history [OR =4.59 95%CI: 1.96-10.75] with a p-value <0.001. Moreover, milk administration as a complementary feeding type was not significantly associated with the development of atopy [OR =1.65 95%CI: 0.87-3.14] with a p-value of 0.14. Conclusion: There is evidence that exclusive breastfeeding is protective against atopy. Mothers should breastfeed mainly for the first six months of child age and continue with partial breastfeeding beyond that age.
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of diabetes during pregnancy is increasing and this is associated with an increased risk of complications in both mother and fetus. The aim of this research is to study the neonatal complications of maternal diabetes. This was a prospective observational study that was conducted in Soba university hospital between September 2010 and March 2011. All infants born to diabetic mothers during the study period were admitted to the neonatal care unit for evaluation. Data on sex, gestational age, and birth weight, mode of delivery, complications, investigations, birth injury, and length of hospital stay were recorded. Maternal data were retrieved from records. Data was analyzed using Minitab 15. A total of 50 infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) were included in the study. Thirty infants (60%) were females and 20 (40%) were males. Forty two (84%) of the neonates were born by caesarian section, only 7(14%) were born by spontaneous vaginal delivery. Birth injury was observed in 4% of them. The mean gestational age was 37.2±2.051 weeks. The median birth weight was 3.5 kg. 14 (28%) of the babies were macrosomic, and 17 (34%) were large for gestational age (LGA). Congenital anomalies were found in 3 (6%), hypoglycemia in 6 (12%), hyperbillirubinaemia in 10 (20%), hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia each occurred in 2%, transient tachypnea of the newborn occurred in 5 (10%) of the neonates and respiratory distress syndrome in 2%. Cardiomyopathy occurred in 2% and mortality was 4%. We concluded that macrosomia, LGA, and hyperbillirubinaemia were the commonest complications in IDMs, maternal glycaemic control was found to have a significant effect on a number of outcomes.
