2026-07-21T08:05:05Zhttps://repisalud.isciii.es/rest/oai/requestoai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/231472024-11-29T04:10:00Zcom_20.500.12105_15322com_20.500.12105_2051col_20.500.12105_16967
Repisalud
author
Verd, Sergio
author
Ramakers, Jan
author
Vinuela, Isabel
author
Martín Delgado, María Isabel
author
Prohens, Aina
author
Díez, Ruth
2024-09-18T06:42:01Z
2024-09-18T06:42:01Z
2021-10-18
Verd S, Ramakers J, Vinuela I, Martin-Delgado MI, Prohens A, Diez R. Does breastfeeding protect children from COVID-19? An observational study from pediatric services in Majorca, Spain. Int Breastfeed J. 2021 Oct 18;16(1):83.
10.1186/s13006-021-00430-z
1746-4358
International Breastfeeding Journal
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13003/19546
34663389
L636478724
2-s2.0-85117492195
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/23147
708453800003
Background: It has been demonstrated that children who had been breastfed remain better protected against various infections, and notably respiratory tract infections, well beyond infancy. Since the role of breastfeeding to explain why children are less affected by COVID-19 has not been studied until now, the aim of this study was to determine whether any history of breastfeeding reduces the incidence rate of COVID-19 in children. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of an observational study on clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 in Majorca. A total of 691 children were recruited during the 5 months of August-December 2020. Eligible participants were children under 14 who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric emergency services. The independent explanatory variable was any breastfeeding. Bivariate analyses were conducted through the Chi-square test, the Fisher's Exact test or the Student's T test. All children had the same demographic, epidemiological and clinical data collected through a study team member interview and via the participants medical records. Results: Within the sample of children who visited emergency services with symptoms of potential COVID-19, we found higher prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test results among those who were exclusively formula fed compared with those who were ever breastfed (OR 2.48; 95% CI 1.45, 3.51; P = 0.036). Conclusions: The present study suggests that ever breastfeeding reduces the risk of COVID-19 among children, as documented for other infections.
eng
Child
Breastfeeding
COVID-19
Disease transmission
Oxidative stress
Immune responses
Symptoms
Does breastfeeding protect children from COVID-19? An observational study from pediatric services in Majorca, Spain
research article