Research
The Relationship between Breastfeeding and Autoimmune Diseases among Children in Makkah City
Author(s): Amna Alotiby*, Reem Bagadood, Rawan Bazuhayr, Lama Shabanah, Nouf Qurbi, Revan Mujahed, Hana Halabi and Khariah Alsufyani
Background: Breast milk is an optimal nutrient source for, and mediates immune protection in, children. Further, it aids antibody production and shapes the mucosal immune response in children. Our study aimed to determine the relationship between breastfeeding and autoimmune diseases, particularly, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital (MCH) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia (between February and August 2020). Data were collected through phone interviews; analysis was performed at 95% confidence intervals using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: Of the 60 patients enrolled, 44 had RA and 16 had IBD; 31 of these 60 patients (51.7%) were female, and the rest were male. In terms of the feeding type, (28.3%) were breastfed, (21.7%) were formula-fed, and (50... Read More»
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