DOES BREASTFEEDING REALLY SAVE LIVES, OR ARE APPARENT BENEFITS DUE TO BIASES?
Analysis of mothers’ recall data collected in 1976 1977 by a probability survey in Peninsular Malaysia shows an association between breastfeeding up to six months of age and improved survival of infants throughout the first year of life. Inappropriate sample selection and inadequate control of confounding can introduce large biases in these analyses. The magnitude and direction of these biases are presented. Even when these biases are dealt with, unsupplemented breastfeeding appears more beneficial than supplemented breastfeeding. The younger the infant and the longer the breastfeeding, the greater the estimated benefits in terms of deaths averted. The use of powdered infant formula did not appear to offset the detrimental effects of early weaning and supplementation. The positive relationships found in these analyses between breastfeeding and survival are not due to death precluding or terminating breastfeeding. Nor are they likely to be due to a shift away from breastfeeding because
Related Questions
- If a member lives in a state that has been introduced to the Medical Program (CDHC) and enrolls, and then moves to another state that does not have the Medical Program (CDHC) can the member still use the medical benefits?
- DOES BREASTFEEDING REALLY SAVE LIVES, OR ARE APPARENT BENEFITS DUE TO BIASES?
- What are the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby?
