Breastfeeding Prevalence among an Alaskan Inupiat Eskimo Population.

Breastfeeding provides valuable immunologic, nutritional, and psychological advantages to infants and is the most desirably complete diet for the infant during the first 6 months of life. The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the prevalence of breastfeeding in a group of Alaskan Inupiat Eskimos, who live in northern Alaska. A convenience sample of 36 women making up three age cohorts was utilized (women ages 18 to 25, N=11; ages 26 to 40, N=14; ages 41 to 60, N=11). Data collected from these women on their choice of infant-feeding method contributed to measuring the prevalence of breastfeeding. Prevalence was also measured by categorizing the children of these women into three age groups and further classifying them as to how they were fed when they were infants. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing 95% confidence intervals. Results revealed that, in this sample and over the past 20 years, a substantial decline has occurred in the percentage of Inupiat infants exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months or longer. Data also indicated a downward trend in the percentage of mothers between the ages of 26 and 39 who initiate breastfeeding; however, among the mothers aged 18 to 25, data reflected a rising trend.

Alarming racial differences in maternal mortality.

In this column, the author reviews statistics that reflect the disparity of maternal mortality rates among black, nonwhite, and white women.

Physiological effects of infant exposure to environmental tobacco smoke: a passive observation study.

This study explored infant physiologic responses of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) using a longitudinal passive observation study with a control group. Fifteen smoking and 15 non-smoking mothers were initially contacted in hospital maternity units, with home visits made when their infants were 2, 4, and 6 weeks old. Exposure to ETS was measured using infant urinary nicotine and cotinine levels. The physiologic effects of infant ETS exposure were measured by rectal temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. The smoking mothers in this sample were poorer, had less education, and were less likely to be married than the mothers who did not smoke. At birth, the infants of smoking mothers had higher diastolic blood pressure than infants of non-smoking mothers (p < .008). Mothers who smoke cigarettes should be educated that maternal smoking behavior can affect an infant's cardiovascular function. Parents should also be counseled about the risks of smoking in close proximity and/or in an enclosed space with an infant, especially in a motor vehicle.

Some suggested cautions for pregnant women.

Researchers continue to find new ways to protect the fetus and newborn from hazards posed by the environment through infectious and chemical agents. Research indicates that for women infected with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, antibiotic treatment reduces the incidence of harmful effects this infection can have on the fetus. In addition, researchers have concluded that women's breast milk can be a source of lead exposure in infants. Maternal use of calcium supplements, however, can decrease the risk of lead transfer by reducing the mobilization of skeletal mineral stores.

Uncertainty exists in recommendations for reducing prenatal exposure to mercury.

The Environmnetal Working Group, Health Care Without Harm (1999) recommends that pregnant women avoid eating tuna, swordfish, or shark and that young children avoid eating more than one serving of tuna per week. Childbirth educators are in a unique position to educate women about the dangers of methylmercury exposure during pregnancy.